The Port of San Diego and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority of the Philippines have formalised a new sister port partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding on October 15 during a celebration attended by SBMA dignitaries and local leaders from the Filipino community.
The partnership will enable the two organisations to build trade opportunities, exchange knowledge and collaborate on shared interests across port operations and sustainable development.
Subic Bay, located on the west coast of Luzon Island, is a former United States military base repurposed for commercial operations with business lines similar to those of the Port of San Diego, encompassing cargo and cruise operations, shipbuilding facilities, foreign trade zones, hotels, marinas, restaurants, wildlife preserves, recreational centres and an airport.
Chair Ann Moore of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners described the partnership as an extension of the port’s commitment to innovation through strong international relationships, creating opportunities beyond both waterfronts and reinforcing economic resiliency.
Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab highlighted the MOU as an avenue for deepening ties with the Philippines and collaborating on import and export cargo opportunities in Asia, alongside sharing best practices in sustainable port development, supply chain resilience and environmental stewardship.
Subic Bay is the fourth sister port relationship in the Port of San Diego’s history, following agreements with Sasebo, Japan in 1982, Ensenada, Mexico in 2004 and Nanjing, China in 2012.
