By: Anne A. Jambora

Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in Asia,makes a double maiden call at Subic and Manila

It was a surreal moment for Wilma Eisma, chair and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) when, at 5 a.m., the colossal Ovation of the Seas was seen in the horizon, slowly steering its way toward the Subic port.

Eisma has been joining cruise-ship conferences abroad for more than a decade now, trying to convince the major players in the industry to come to the country. They declined owing to the country’s alleged lack of on-shore excursions.

When her team included Bataan among the exciting places to see aside from Subic, Eisma finally got the green light. And Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas made not one but two “test” port of calls—first in Subic, second in Manila.

Should there be enough positive feedback from the guests, the Philippines will become one of Royal Caribbean’s regular stops in Asia, said Capt. Nikolaos Antalis, AVP for marine and safety of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“Only then shall we announce the future calls of Royal Caribbean,” he said.

Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship of Royal Caribbean in Asia, is the first cruise ship of this magnitude and caliber to ever make a maiden call in the Philippines. During her test call in Subic and Manila, she brought with her more than 6,000 guests and crew. She is 1,138 feet long with a total of 18 decks (16 guest decks).

When it made its maiden voyage in April 2016, Ovation of the Seas featured many of Royal Caribbean’s first-at-sea innovations—Ripcord by iFly (indoor skydiving), North Star (an observation capsule rising 302 feet over the ocean, Bionic Bar (robots serving cocktails), FlowRider Surf Simulator, bumper cars, rock-climbing wall.

The cruise ship also features interior virtual balcony staterooms with real-time ocean views, luxurious lofts with spacious living areas and private concierge service, 18 dining venues, including Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Next generation

“Royal Caribbean aims to bring more of the next generation cruising experience to its fans in the Philippines and Asia,” master of Ovation of the Seas Capt. Flemming B. Nielsen said. “As we continue to grow in Southeast Asia in a big way, we look forward to bringing more ships and tourists to more ports in the Philippines in the future.”

Ovation of the Seas will be cruising around North Asia for the summer out from Hong Kong and Tianjin, before heading to Singapore and then Sidney in October.

The popular Bionic Bar,where two robots man the bar and serve drinks

The popular Bionic Bar, where two robots man the bar and serve drinks

In Subic, guests visited antique shops and, in Bataan, Spanish colonial-era mansions during the Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Tour. They traveled through picturesque river valleys and took a dip into the warm waters of Puning Hot Spring, and watched marine animal performances at Ocean Adventure.

The Manila call offered options for Tagaytay tour or Manila City Tour. Tagaytay highlighted the panoramic view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, plus a trip to a pineapple plantation where they shopped for souvenirs or tried the local pineapples. Those who opted to stay in the city were toured around historic landmarks such as the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and its museum, and Fort Santiago.

Royal Caribbean’s Capt. Nikolaos Antalis and Capt. Flemming B. Nielsen with Arpain Air SVP and COO Joy Abrogar–PHOTOS BY EARVIN PERIAS

Royal Caribbean’s Capt. Nikolaos Antalis and Capt. Flemming B. Nielsen with Arpain Air SVP and COO Joy Abrogar–PHOTOS BY EARVIN PERIAS

“This used to be a dream, and now it’s a reality,” Eisma said. “We’ve convinced them to come, and now for the difficult part—to keep them coming, We want to make sure they have the best experience, the best time, to feel secure and safe… We want the Philippines to become Asia’s next cruise ship playground.”

Assistant Tourism Secretary Roberto Alabado III said he not only wants the country to become an important player in the regional cruise ship business, but also to become a major resource for manpower, shipbuilding, and maritime training.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

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Subic Bay Freeport is getting additional 24,725 hectares, majority of which come from neighboring towns, to expand the former American naval base which has been running out of space it can offer to new investors and expanding existing locators.

Photo credit: Subic Bay News

Of this expansion area, five neighboring towns have initially allotted a total of 21,495 hectares of land to the Subic Bay Freeport, which has been running out of the property to lease to more investors in the former American naval base.

Data showed that six local government units have initially allotted these properties for Subic expansion. The biggest lot contributor is San Marcelino with 10,000-hectare allocation followed by San Antonio with 9,000, Olongapo with 900 hectares, Subic with 500-600 hectares, Hermosa 505 hectares, and Catillejos with 500 hectares.

Usually, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) leases out properties to investors at certain rates. Under the plan, the San Marcelino lot would be used for mining, quarry and agriculture projects while San Antonio has been reserved for resort development and leisure industry.

The Olongapo LGU allocation would be used for housing, light industry, and tourism projects while the 500-600 hectares in Subic could be offered for factories, agriculture, and energy facilities.
Hermosa may be developed to house light to heavy industry, renewable energy, metal industry and staging of trucks auctions. The Castillejos land allocation can also be used for light to medium industry warehousing.

The remaining properties would come from the Redondo Peninsula with 3,000 hectares; infill development of 150 hectares and reclamation of 20 hectares.

Earlier, SBMA chairperson and administrator, Wilma Eisma, also inked strategic tie-ups with major US ports for Subic’s expansion and business plans this 2018.

Port expansion is seen as a priority by SBMA in order to make Subic a global maritime trade player.
In response to the growing demands of international trade, the SBMA plans to improve local infrastructures and develop industrial zones while increasing port capacity through national funding.

SBMA has set a target to fully develop the Subic Bay Freeport Zone by 2022.
“Our priority is to make Subic a more open and competitive Freeport in international trade. With additional investment prospects in the works, Subic Bay is moving forward with positive momentum,” said Eisma.

SBMA reported a 34 percent net income in 2017 to P91 million from P68 million in 2016. Total revenues reached P3 billion or 4 percent higher than 2016’s P2.95 billion.

source: business.mb.com.ph

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Photo credit: zhoushan.cn

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Plans are afoot to connect the Subic Bay Freeport, an emerging cruise ship destination in Southeast Asia, to the Zhoushan International Cruise Port (ZICP), which is one of the five major cruise ports in China today.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma, said Zhoushan port authorities, cruise line executives, travel agents, and representatives from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism visited here on Monday to look into prospects of connecting ZICP with Subic, along with Clark International Airport.

“ZICP targets more than 200 international cruises every year after opening their cruise port in 2014,” Eisma said.

“Now they are looking at Subic Bay as their next target,” she said.

Eisma said that it would be logical for ZICP to connect with the Port of Subic “because the Subic Bay area is getting to be a popular cruise ship destination for Chinese tourists.”

Zhoushan, which is located in China’s Zhejiang province, is the only archipelago city in China and is considered the gateway to East China Sea.

Since its opening in October 2014, the ZICP became a departure point for cruises to Taiwan and other Asian destinations. Phase 1 of the ZICP development involved reclaiming land from the sea and building a berth for megaships. Total investment to date is reported at around $74 million.

Eisma said Subic could gain much from the proposed connection, as the Chinese cruise industry is expected to become bigger in the years to come.

“The link between Zhoushan and Subic would be mutually beneficial, since both areas have great offerings for cruise ship passengers and the potential to serve as jump-off points for other destinations in the region,” Eisma said.

“This could be the start of our version of a maritime silk road here,” she said.

At least 20 cruise ship arrivals have been calendared in Subic for this year, and some bookings have been made for 2019 and 2020.

These include three arrivals each for the month of June, July and August this year.

Eisma said that another giant Royal Caribbean vessel, the Voyager of the Seas, has been scheduled to arrive here in August. Its sister ship, the Ovation of the Seas, which is the biggest cruise ship in operation in Asia, has called at the Port of Subic last June 8.-By Ric Sapnu

source: sunstar.com.ph/

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SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: An investment and development group based here recently hosted some 150 investors from different countries in Asia to explore investment opportunities and be part of this rapidly growing economic and investment hub.

BY PATRICK ROXAS

WAY TO GO Samuel Lim (4th from left), Sinosun Subic Bay Holdings Corp. chairman; Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (5th from left); Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Senior Deputy Administrator Stefani Saño (6th from left); and other partners of Sinosun are shown during the Subic Bay Development and Investment Conference held recently at the Subic Bay Freeport. PHOTO BY PATRICK ROXAS

Samuel Lim, group chairman of Sinosun Subic Bay Holdings Corp.; Stefani Saño, senior deputy administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA); and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the investors from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries who attended the Subic Bay Development and Investment Conference on Tuesday.

Lim told The Manila Times that the objective of the conference is to bring global investments to the Philippines and that Sinosun and its partners chose Subic Bay because “it is a Freeport and a special economic zone and the most successful military base conversion.”

Sinosun, according to its website, plans to transform Subic Bay into a sustainable and well-rounded green, safe and smart city where there will be a balance between modernization and conservation of not only the environment but also its rich arts and culture.

It will showcase Subic Bay as a model city for development that can be replicated and applied to other regions of the Philippines targeting significant long-term growth in promoting infrastructural and economic development.

Lim said Sinosun and its partners, which include China State Construction, China Railway Construction, China Engineering Corp. China Hualu Group and China Overseas Holdings Group, as well as those involved in communication satellites, communication solutions and aerospace, are committed to employment creation in Subic Bay and beyond.

He also told visiting business delegations that Subic Bay is a separate territory within the Philippines where there is a free flow of goods and services.

Sinosun’s plans involve the development of an industrial zone, a Subic Bay multi-functional transshipment port, a logistics center, a wind farm, a hydroelectric power plant, a photovoltaic power station, coastal resorts and a five-star hotel and casino, all in the Redondo Peninsula.

In the existing central business district, Lim said there is also a plan to develop a ferry and cruise ship terminal, Subic Bay villas and resorts and a financial technology institute.

In the city of Olongapo, the group also plans to develop the Olongapo City Public Market and the Kalaklan Ridge.

source: manilatimes.net

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Photo Credit: Nikkei Asian Review

By Jonas Reyes

Subic Bay Freeport– Japanese robotics firm Nidec-Shimpo Corporation (Japan), known for supplying precision gears to the industrial automation marketplace, is planning to set up a manufacturing facility in this premier Freeport.

The robotics firm is a wholly-owned company of Japan’s Nidec Corporation and a sister-company of Nidec Subic Philippine Corporation.

It is planning to manufacture reduction gears which are necessary to control speed and traction of electronic equipment.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Atty. Wilma Eisma was briefed by Nidec-Shimpo Corporate Planning Manager Tadahiro Togami, Corporate Planning Chief Manager Otoharu Tomita and Vice President for Administration Tetsuya Nakao on the planned investment.

They said that the proposed Subic operations will initially hire 100 workers, and eventually up to 1,000 workers.

Eisma said the proposed project will fortify the presence of Japanese companies at the Subic Technology Park (STEP), which now hosts some of the leading innovators and manufacturers in the field of technology.

“Aside from proving the continuing investor confidence in this premier free port and economic zone, the entry of Nidec-Shimpo will further elevate Subic’s place in high-end manufacturing and increase the stature of local workers in the areas of precision engineering and technology,” she added.

The reduction gears that Nidec-Shimpo will produce in Subic will be exported to Europe, Eisma said.

The company, which has affiliated companies worldwide, is engaged in the manufacture and sales of variable speed drive and speed reducers, factory automation systems, ceramic equipment, electronic instruments, DC brushless motors, press machines and fee attachments, dies, and other machinery and tools.

Currently, Nidec-Shimpo has plants and marketing offices in the United States, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, India, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

According to SBMA Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing and Maritime (BID-MM) head Karen Magno, Nidec-Shimpo’s sister firm in Subic is now the world’s top manufacturer of small precision motors.

She added that Nidec Subic Philippines currently holds the largest market share in the world for spindle motors, which rotate disks and are at the heart of hard disk drives used in personal computers.

source: news.mb.com.ph

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