By Henry Empeño | October 14, 2026

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Port of Subic is set to sign a sister-port agreement with the Port of San Diego in California to strengthen bilateral maritime ties and promote enhanced trade, cruise tourism, commercial cargo development, and environmentally sustainable port technologies.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the parties will formalize the agreement in California on Thursday, October 15, with SBMA Director Teodoro del Rosario signing on his behalf.

The sister-port agreement is expected to provide a framework for both ports to exchange expertise, identify new business opportunities, and share best practices to adapt to the evolving global maritime landscape.

“A central focus of our collaboration will be the expansion of trade and commercial cargo services,” Aliño explained, citing potential cargo routes, logistics initiatives, and other opportunities that could strengthen trade links between the two maritime ports.

The agreement also prioritizes cruise tourism cooperation, with both ports committing to exchange best practices on cruise operations, passenger handling, port services, and tourism infrastructure.

This exchange is expected to enhance Subic Bay’s capabilities as a premier cruise destination and improve the overall visitor experience for passengers and cruise operators, Aliño said.

As environmental sustainability is another critical component of the partnership, Aliño said Subic also expects to gain valuable insights in implementing green port technologies and programs for cleaner port operations, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and other eco-friendly initiatives adaptable in Subic Bay.

The Subic-San Diego sister-port partnership will be the second to be signed by the SBMA this year, following a similar agreement struck with the Port of Kaohsiung in February 2026

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said this follows the SBMA thrust to build strong people-to-people and professional connections with maritime industry stakeholders, and related organizations in shipping, logistics, and tourism.

“We are positioning Subic as a major maritime and logistics hub in the Philippines, and this cooperation with San Diego will help expand SBMA’s global network and uncover new opportunities in cargo, cruise tourism, and sustainable port development,” Yambao said.

The port official also said the Subic agency plans to sign a sister-port agreement with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium in May next year.

Subic has already established similar port exchange programs with the Port of Virginia and the Port of Eilat in Israel. ▲