8 August 2018
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true. Greg Reid
Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR) has come to a day of turning a dream into a reality. After several months of planning and hard work, construction of the new Cebu International Port - Finger Pier is set to begin!
The Ceremonial Unveiling and Groundbreaking of the Finger Pier took place last August 8, 2018.
Atty. Florimae C. Velasco - Acting General Manager opened and welcomed the guests from various business sectors and led the Ceremonial Unveiling of the Finger Pier Project participated by OPASCOR Board of Directors and honored guests.
The construction of the new Finger Pier will solve head-on the pressing capacity problem of our international port and address the need for more berth and yard space. At the peak of cargo stack congestion in 2014 and 2015, yard utilization reached a high of 90% to 106% resulting to extreme hardship in both vessel and yard operations at the Cebu International Port. Congestion resulted to economic disturbances to port stakeholders and the public. It led to increased cost in logistics and has negatively impacted operational efficiencies of our exporters. The Finger Pier can accommodate additional two (2) general cargo vessels which can then be handled simultaneously at berth. It will be able to accommodate a total annual volume of 127,750 TEUs with an average dwell time of three (3) days, hence, increasing the total annual capacity of CIP to 909,438 TEUs and 682,079 TEUs at 75% Yard Utilization.
Distinguished guests from government and private sectors celebrated with OPASCOR in this successful endeavor. Consul Antonio N. Chiu - President, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Angelo C. Verdan - General Manager, Cebu Port Authority and Atty. Elvira Cruz represented by Lilibeth Mangsal - District Collector, Bureau of Customs, Port of Cebu delivered their short messages of congratulations.
Atty. Tomas A. Riveral delivered his inspirational talk highlighting the three “Râ€s the Finger Pier represents for Cebu. First is being Responsive - Finger Pier is the response to the port congestion problem encountered in 2014 and 2015. With its additional berthing capacity and yard area, it can serve more vessels and can accommodate more volume in the international port. Second is being Resilient - With the economic uncertainties around the world, Cebu will withstand the difficult situations it will encounter in the future. And lastly, its Readiness - With the growing demands for commodities, Cebu port can cater the needs of the people and can compete with the ports of the world.
Hon. Angelo C. Verdan and Atty. Tomas A. Riveral splashed champagne on the first pile to be erected in the site area as a wish of good luck to the construction of the Finger Pier.
The contractor of this project is Equi-Parco Construction Company. The project is estimated to be finished within 360 days and is set to be inaugurated in the 3rd quarter of 2019.
It was a day of remarkable beginnings not just for OPASCOR but also for the Port of Cebu!
