List of ports in the Philippines by Region

The Philippines is an archipelago with a vast coastline, making it a crucial hub for maritime trade and commerce.

The country has a total of 168 ports, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

From the northernmost part of the country to the southernmost tip, the Philippines is divided into 17 regions, each with its own set of ports that cater to different types of cargo and vessels.

These ports play a vital role in the country's economy, facilitating the import and export of goods, as well as providing a means of transportation for people and goods.

The Philippines has a total of 490 vessels expected to arrive at its ports, according to AIS reports. This includes 336 cargo ships, 6 dredging or underwater ships, and 22 passenger ships.

The Port of Manila is the largest port in the country, with 22 available berths and 12 piers, and an annual cargo tonnage of around 75 million tons. It's also the premier domestic and international port in the Philippines.

Here's a list of some of the major ports in the Philippines, along with their UN/Locode and location:

The Port of Davao is a natural-cum-artificial harbour that services ships on the Celebes Sea and the Davao Gulf, with an annual statistics of 25,337 ship calls, 544,000 TEUs container volume, and 1.6 million passengers in 2013.

Manila is home to the Philippines' largest port, the Port of Manila, which has been operational since the early 1100s. This historic port has been a major trading hub for centuries, receiving significant trade from China, Japan, Malaysia, and India during the 12th century.

The Port of Manila is a natural-cum-artificial harbour covering 137.5 hectares and is divided into three main regions: the North Harbor, South Harbor, and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). The North Harbor measures 53 hectares and houses 7 berths, while the South Harbor measures 80 hectares and has 5 piers.

The MICT is one of the world's busiest container terminals, ranking 38th globally in terms of TEU volume, and is operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI). The port boasts 22 berths and 12 piers, with average annual traffic of nearly 21,000 vessels.

The Port of Manila handles a significant amount of cargo, with an annual cargo tonnage of over 75 million tons and a container volume of over 4.5 million TEUs. The port also handles a large number of passengers, with an annual footfall of 72 million.

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Lucena is a major fishing and commercial port located on the Bay of Tayabas in Luzon Island. It's known as the “melting pot” of South Luzon and plays a significant role in generating revenue for the locals.

The Port of Lucena is operated under the PPA and is situated in Barangay Talao-Talao. It covers roughly 5,000 square meters, with most of the area dedicated to commercial activities.

Lucena doubles up as a cargo and fishing port, handling a significant number of ship calls per year. In fact, it handles roughly 6,000 ship calls per year, which is nearly half of the port's total of 12,500 ship calls.

The port has been expanded with more piers to accommodate heavier cargo ships, enabling efficient and speedier turnaround of commercial vessels. This expansion has helped increase the port's capacity and efficiency.

Here are some key statistics about the Port of Lucena:

The Batangas International Port, also known as Batangas Pier, is located in Barangay Santa Clara and covers an area of 150 hectares. It's the 2nd largest port in the Philippines and primarily services passenger and cargo ships.

The port received 32,777 ship calls in 2015, handled 2.3 million tons of cargo, and had a footfall of 6.3 million passengers. It's managed by the PPA and customs support is provided by the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

The Batangas Container Terminal is run by Asian Terminals and handles trade with Philippine industries in South Luzon. It has lower tariffs than the neighboring Port Manila, attracting foreign investment and encouraging shipping lines to shift their operations to Batangas.

The port is also connected to the STAR Tollway and SLEx Expressway, easing road congestion.

Batangas International is a major seaport located in Luzon Island, Batangas Bay, West Philippine Sea. It's the 2nd largest port in the Philippines, covering an area of 150 hectares.

The port services passenger and cargo ships, with the Batangas Container Terminal run by Asian Terminals handling trade with Philippine industries in South Luzon. It has lower tariffs than neighboring Port Manila, attracting foreign investment and encouraging shipping lines to shift their operations to Batangas.

The port received 32,777 ship calls in 2015, handled 2.3 million tons of cargo tonnage, and had a footfall of 6.3 million passengers. The main issue with the passenger terminals at Batangas is the irregular schedule, complex system of taxes and fees for tourists, and the constant threat of falling prey to scams that are commonplace within the port.

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The port is managed by the PPA, with customs support provided by the Bureau of Customs (BoC). Asian Terminals planned to revamp the port in 2016, investing 3.8 million pesos to improve its features, including port connectivity and passenger-friendly environment.

Here are some key statistics about the port:

Dapa is a municipality in the Philippines that's known for its beautiful beaches and surfing spots. The Port of Dapa is a passenger and cargo transit port that serves the municipality.

The Port of Dapa is a popular stop for surfers traveling to the Cloud Nine and General Luna surfing spots. It's also a convenient option for those looking to travel between islands.

The port is operated by the Philippine Ports Authority and PMO Surigao, and it can accommodate a range of vessels, including ferry, deck cargo ships, and passengers.

The southern Philippines is home to a diverse range of ports, each with its own unique characteristics and functions. The Port of Davao, located in Mindanao Island, is one of the busiest international container ports in the provinces of Mindanao and Visayas.

The Port of Davao is a natural-cum-artificial harbour that services ships on the Celebes Sea and the Davao Gulf. It primarily handles shipments of containerized and bulk cargo from the surrounding raw material export industries. The port is divided into 2 government facilities and 9 private sections, with the Sasa International Seaport being the main port hub.

Here's a list of some of the notable ports in the southern Philippines:

These ports play a crucial role in the country's economy, facilitating trade and commerce between the Philippines and other countries.

Balanacan is a significant port in the Philippine island province of Marinduque.

Located south of Argao, it's the main port in the area and serves as the main entry point for most travelers to Marinduque. The Philippine Ports Authority, specifically PMO Batangas, operates the port.

Two primary shipping lines, Starhorse Shipping Lines and Montenegro Shipping Lines, offer routes from and to Dalahican, Quezon. This makes Balanacan a vital hub for maritime trade in the region.

The port's protected location makes it a haven for ships, providing a safe harbor for vessels to dock and unload their cargo.

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The Port of Calbayog is a significant interisland port located on Samar Island's western coast in the Philippines.

It's situated near the mouth of the Calbayog River, which flows into the Samar Sea. The port serves as a major exporter of copra and abaca, and a primary importer of manufactured products and rice.

It's used by passenger ships operating the Calbayog-Cebu route, and chartered cargo ships bring copra and abaca hemp to the port. The Port of Calbayog is also a cargo, inter-island passenger, and vehicle transportation port.

Here are some key facts about the Port of Calbayog:

Currimao is a significant port on the North West Coast of Luzon Island. It's authorized by the Philippine Ports Authority, PMO San Fernando.

The Port of Currimao is an international entry point, with lighters controlling goods in the anchorage. This process helps ensure smooth cargo handling.

You'll find the port situated in the Gaang Bay area and the Port Currimao cove. It's a key location for cargo transportation.

Common cargoes handled at the Port of Currimao include cement, fertilizers, feldspar, and petroleum products. These goods are a crucial part of the region's economy.

Around 100,000 tons of cargo are handled annually at the Port of Currimao. This volume reflects the port's importance in the region's trade.

Legazpi is a significant port in the southern Philippines, located on Luzon Island's southeast coast. It's been serving as an anchorage for ships since the late 16th century.

The port is known for its copra and abaca exports, with copra and hemp being the principal goods handled by the port. It also contains petroleum storage facilities and a thriving abaca-fiber handicraft industry.

You can expect to find deck cargo ships at the port, which is a testament to its importance in the region's trade. The port authority is the Philippine Ports Authority (PMO Legaspi).

Here are some key statistics about the port:

The Port of Mati is an alternate port of Davao, strategically located under Davao Port. Its geographical coordinates are 6°57′0.00″N 126°13′0.00″E.

The port is still under the operations of Philippine Ports Authority, PMO Davao. A proposed 5-hectare fish port is part of the plan, along with a wharf, storage facility, and other facilities.

Anchorage depth at the port ranges from 23.2m to OVER. The cargo pier depth ranges from 14m to 15.2m.

Tabaco is a significant port in the region, serving the same hinterland as Legazpi.

The Tabaco Port is managed by the Philippine Ports Authority, specifically the PMO Legaspi, which is in charge of port activities and operations.

Although other ports like Virac and San Andres handle a large portion of passengers and cargo, the Tabaco Port plays an important role in the region's maritime activities.

Western Visayas and Mindanao Ports are major hubs for trade and commerce in the Philippines. The Port of Cebu, located in the middle of Cebu Island, is the country's largest domestic port and one of its busiest foreign ports.

The port has 33 berths for handling container vessels, ro-ro, and general cargo, and serves the surrounding areas of Visayas and Mindanao. It receives over 112,000 ship visits annually, making it one of the Philippines' busiest ports.

The Port of Davao is another significant port in the region, handling bulk cargo, container cargo, and passenger traffic. It is the busiest international container port in both Visayas and Mindanao, and serves as the entryway to the southern Philippines.

Here are some key statistics for the ports in Western Visayas and Mindanao:

The Port of General Santos, also known as Makar Wharf, is a medium-sized harbour facility in the Philippines, run and operated by the Philippine Ports Authority. It has a 740-meter-long dock that can service 9 ships simultaneously.

Cebu is a bustling hub in the Philippines, and its port is a testament to its importance in the region. The Port of Cebu is the largest domestic port in the country and one of the busiest international ports.

Located in the North Reclamation Area, the port is divided into domestic and international sectors, with the domestic port covering 21 hectares and the international port covering 14 hectares. The domestic port has three passenger terminals, two ferry terminals for the Cebu-Mactan ferries, and 4 kilometers of berthing space for cargo ships.

The port's annual footfall is a staggering 18 million passengers, with over 820,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container volume handled annually. This is a significant figure, considering the port's cargo tonnage is nearly 31 million tons.

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The port's statistics are impressive, with 112,000 ship calls in 2015, making it one of the busiest ports in the Philippines. Its strategic location in the middle of the east coastline of Cebu Island makes it a crucial hub for trade and commerce in the region.

Here are some of the key statistics about the Port of Cebu:

Davao is a significant port in the southern Philippines, serving as the entryway to the region. It's a bustling hub of activity.

The Port of Davao, also known as Davao Port, is a major seaport located on the island of Mindanao. It's made up of several ports within the Davao Gulf.

Davao Port handles a vast amount of cargo, including bulk cargo, container cargo, and passenger traffic. This makes it a crucial link in the country's logistics chain.

The port's busiest international container port status is a testament to its importance. It's the busiest international container port in both Visayas and Mindanao.

Here are some key statistics about the Port of Davao:

Davao Port also serves as a gateway to the surrounding region, with up to 50 minor commercial ports under its umbrella. This network of ports enables the efficient movement of goods and people throughout the area.

Iloilo is a major commercial hub in Western Visayas, with the Port of Iloilo being one of the country's safest and most natural harbors.

The port complex is ideal for ships plying international routes and has 11,400 sq. ft. meters of open space area and 7,800 container freight station.

Located in Iloilo City, it serves the province and city of Iloilo, and the entire Panay Island. Home to several shipping companies such as 2GO and Sulpicio Lines, the port handles passengers, cargo, breakbulk, containers, and Ro-Ro.

Principal cargoes include wheat, fertilizers, bananas, sugar, and other natural resources. The port is ranked 3rd in terms of overall ship calls and has an annual footfall of 2.4 million passengers.

Here are some key statistics about the Port of Iloilo:

The Port of General Santos, also known as the Makar Wharf, is a medium-sized harbour facility in the Philippines, run and operated by the PPA. It's located in Barangay Labangal and is the primary international port in the city.

The port consists of a 740-meter-long dock that can service 9 ships simultaneously. This allows for efficient handling of cargo and passengers.

With modern cranes and storage facilities, it is an export and import hub for many shipping lines. The Makar Wharf also runs a Fish Port nearby, which services reefer containers at the main port.

The Fish Port is run out of Barangay Tambler and is one of the most modern facilities in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities to process fish.

Here's a summary of some key facts about the Port of General Santos:

Guihulngan is a port located 115 kilometers away from the city of Dumaguete, situated near Tinayunan Beach.

The Port of Guihulngan primarily serves small passenger ferries traveling between Dumanjug, Guihulngan, Tangil, and Cebu.

Ro-ro vessels and fast craft operate daily from this port, making it a convenient option for travelers in the area.

One of the port's amenities is an L-type 6-m x 55-m long reinforced concrete finger pier.

It also has a 99-meter berthing space with six cleats mooring fixtures, allowing for safe docking of vessels.

Tramping vessels occasionally dock at the port to load copra bulk, taking advantage of the port's facilities.

The Philippines has several major ports aside from the ones in Manila and Cebu.

The Port of Batangas, located on the island of Luzon, is another significant port in the country. It's a major hub for coal and petroleum imports.

The Port of Subic is another major port in the Philippines, known for its strategic location and modern facilities.

Aparri is located on Luzon's north coast, near the mouth of the Cagayan River.

The Port of Aparri is managed by the Philippine Ports Authority, with PMO San Fernando overseeing its operations.

The strategic location of the Port of Aparri makes it an important hub for maritime trade and commerce in the region.

It's situated near the mouth of the Cagayan River, which provides a natural advantage for shipping and trade.

Irene is a major port in the Northern Philippines, positioned as the region's major international port. It's located close to the mouth of the Cagayan River, on Luzon's northwest coast.

Port Irene comprises a reclaimed land area on the bay's northeast side. This strategic location allows it to host Panamax and cape-sized vessels.

The port is capable of hosting large vessels, which is a significant advantage for trade and commerce in the area.