The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) undertook a significant modernization initiative to enhance its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for improved maritime surveillance, port efficiency, and vessel safety in the Port of Subic Bay. With rising vessel movements, including cargo ships, cruise liners, and military vessels, upgrading the monitoring system became essential.
The project focuses on enhancing radar and communications infrastructure while rehabilitating key maritime facilities like the VTMS radar tower and Subic lighthouse to ensure navigational safety. Additionally, the SBMA aims to automate operations to reduce manual data entry, optimize port throughput, and improve data sharing and decision-making efficiency. The VTMS project includes a Port Management Information System (PMIS) to improve maritime safety and efficiency. PMIS automatically records vessel entry and exit applications, identifies available berthing spaces, and manages billing and payments. Additionally, it serves as an effective tool for monitoring and reporting movements within the port.
The Port of Subic Bay aspires to be the leading port in the Asia-Pacific Region, offering modern, competitive services in a secure and sustainable environment. It is dedicated to providing quality services to the maritime logistics industry and ensuring industry best practices for efficient cargo and vessel operations. The new radar coverage offered by the VTMS addresses the deficiencies or dead spots in the old radar coverage of the Bay, while the integrated PMIS application helps to plan and execute vessel calls and manage port resources efficiently to meet the plan.
Improving safety vessel operations is vital to sustaining global trade, facilitating the seamless movement of goods and services, and reducing the risk of accidents and spills that can damage marine ecosystems. The PMIS is also designed to provide real-time information to stakeholders, which includes access to project progress, schedules, costs, performance metrics, and other relevant data.