TIM eMagazine TIME3 #4 HD | Page 17

TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 4 Manila South Harbor handles largest cruise ship to dock in the Philippines RCL Ovation of the Seas PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago T Credit : morsels.com.au he Manila South Harbor handled the biggest and largest cruise ship to dock in the Philippines, underscoring its readiness to accommodate the demands of the booming industry for the Philippines. MS Ovation of the Seas, arrived at MSH on Saturday, is by far heavier and longer by 17,336 gross tons and 12.65 meters, respectively, than MS World Dream, the erstwhile largest cruise ship that docked on Philippine waters. MS Ovation of the Seas is operated by Royal Carribean International while MS World Dream is run by Genting Hong Kong, Ltd. PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago is ecstatic over the smooth handling of the cruise ship, which has at least 5,000 passengers and crew onboard. “This only shows that the Philippines is more than ready to handle the demands of international cruise ship industry,” Santiago stressed. “This also underscores the hold of the Philippines as the newest cruise shipping destination within the Asia-Pacific region,” Santiago said. “PPA, along with its private partners, will continue to undertake the best efforts in order to bring the Philippine port system to world standards and remain competitive with its counterparts,” Santiago added. “PPA, along with its private partners, will continue to undertake the best efforts in order to bring the Philippine port system to world standards and remain competitive with its counterparts,” Santiago added. It maybe recalled that in March, PPA posted unprecedented figures in cruise ship arrivals in the last 12 months capped by the simultaneous docking of cruise ships at the Manila’s South Harbor. PPA has been injecting so much effort to improve the cruise facilities of our ports particularly the areas like Puerto Princesa in Palawan, South Harbor and North Harbor in Manila, Bohol in the Visayas, and Currimao in Northern Luzon. Currently, PPA is carrying out several infrastructure projects in key areas to support the booming cruise industry aimed at developing international hubs for cruise liners like Davao, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa, Subic, and Zamboanga. These make up the nation’s major nautical cruise arteries. It has also lined up various port programs for the development of cruise terminals. These include the Ports of Puerto Princesa, Currimao in Ilocos Norte and Catagbacan in Bohol Province. ppa.gov.ph Related Story: Asia’s Largest Cruise Ship Ovation Of The Seas Makes Double Maiden Call At Subic Bay and Manila 17