[Philippines]Puerto Princesa Port

The whole province of Palawan is considered one of the gifted places possessing such tremendous natural wealth such as silica, lumber, chromite, nickel, oil and agricultural products such as copra, corn, rice and other forest products.  The potential of each mineral, however, are not fully tapped.  A manifestation of this is the concentration of population at few places.

The port of Puerto Princesa is a major port of entry and plays an important role in the transportation of goods and passengers.  Located within a cove on the southeastern coast of Palawan Island, the port is open to both foreign and domestic containerized and passengers.

Incoming cargoes vary from bottled cargoes, construction materials, general consumer goods to other finished products.  Outgoing cargoes include marine and agricultural products, lumber, live animals, furniture, coconut products and other raw materials.

PMO Puerto Princesa has 3 terminals; Cuyo, Brooke's Point and Coron.

The port of Cuyo caters to the cargo and passenger sea transport needs of the people of the Cuyo Islands which consist of Cuyo, Bisucay, Caponyan, Lubic and Manamoc, all within the province of Palawan.  It has a reinforced concrete pier measuring 42 x 9 m connected to 7 m and 280.45 m long rock causeway.  Prime commodities and construction materials constitute the inbound cargoes being handled at the port while outbound cargoes are mainly agricultural, marine and other native products.

The port of Brooke's Point has a 6 m wide and 190 m long RC pier approach connected with 12 m x 160 m RC pier landing and 15 m x 31 m RC roro ramp.  It is about one (1) kilometer away from poblacion with a single lane dirt road that is narrow and long.  Congestion is always experienced during unloading/loading operations.  Major commodities handled are consumer goods, construction materials and products of agricultural and mining industries.

The port of Coron, formerly categorized as a municipal port is now recognized as one of the terminal ports under Port Management Office of Puerto Princesa.  Domestic vessels with conventional cargoes and passengers are handled at this port.

PORT PROFILE

Location

  Latitude 09o 44' N, Longitude 188o 43' E , on the western side of Puerto Princesa, westward of Princesa Strait, and the western side of Palawan Island.  The port lies 558 meters from a coral reef on the southern portion of Bancao, Bancao Point.

Sea distance to Manila is 370.6 nautical miles. 

Total Port Area

  Total Port Area:  37270.00 sq.m. 


Navigational Appoach

  With one mile passing distance bearing Bancao-Bancao Lighthouse 000o m, steer 295o heading River Island, then a beam tide pose with half mile passing distance, steer 345 putting Cana island on the starboard side. 


Entrance Channel

  A coral reef on the southern portion of Bancao-Bancao Point is 558 meters.  Navigable portion of channel is one mile off on both sides.  Missing buoy of Gideon Shoal bearing 270o from pier southmost end with a distance of 613 meters from pier. 

Turning Basin

  Maneuverability room area is 500 meters semi-circle from 043o towards port side up to 233o toward entrance channel. 

Foundation Condition

  Muddy sea bed free from rocks. 

Climatological Condition

  Out of prevailing typhoon belt.   Well-sheltered from any adverse weather condition. 

Tydal Range/Type

  Tidal currents are not strong and the range is 1.35 m. between MHHW and MLLW. 

Access Road

  The port area is connected to the city proper with two (2) single two-lane concrete roads, serving as access towards the entrance and exit gates of the port area.  Both approaches have steep slopes that make the ascend difficult. 

PORT FACILITIES  

Description

  A reinforced concrete wharf on concrete piles for general and containerized cargo handling and accommodation of passengers.  This facility connects Puerto Princesa city to other cities and provinces in the country particularly Metro Manila. 

Navigational Aids

  The bay is equipped with only two (2) rotating lighthouses, one at the northern tip of the bay entrance and the other is in the middle of northern shore of the bay. 

Berthing Facilities

  A 3.47 m long reinforced concrete  wharf on concrete piles.  Main berth is 193 m., secondary berth is 94.51 m.  Main portion of the pier is connected to land by a 174.7 approach. 

Storage Facilities

  A 672.0 sq. m. transit and 672.0 sq. m. cargo shed, 9649.06 sq. m. open storage area, and a 360 sq. m. passenger terminal 

Anchorage & Fairways

  The anchorage is located at the middle of the bay.  It has a sufficient depth ranging from 12 meters to 30 meters.  The area, approximately 3 sq. miles is narrow and long.  The bay is considered one of the best harbors in the country and thus, very safe for shelter during bad weather. 

 
PORT SERVICES 

Cargo Handling

  Serviced by Prudential Customs Brokerage Service, Inc. Puerto Princesa. 

Shipping Agents

  WG&A Phils., Negros Navigation Co., Inc., Pag-asa Multi-Purpose Development Cooperative, Inc., Sulpicio Lines, Inc., Milagrosa-J Shipping Corp., Ultras Shipping Co. 

Tug Assistance

  Tugs and towage services are available and can be arranged with local shipping agents. 

Communication Services

  Cable and long distance phone services are available at Puerto Princesa. 

Bunkering

  Bunkers and other fuel supplies are provided by Petron, Caltex and Shell, which maintain local supply depots. 

Pilotage

  Compulsory.  The Puerto Princesa Harbor Pilot's Association must be advised of the vessel's ETA or its scheduled movement 24 hours before vessel's arrival. 

Water Supply 

Supply of water may be arranged with PPA with a 24 hour notice.  Delivery via pipelines at the port.  Tel. No. (063) (048) 433-2351. 

Trucking 

May be arranged with local truckers ?Mercado Trucking, Victan Transport Services, GVA Trucking. 

Chandling 
Unlimited provision of all types available through local ship chandlers.