Bangkok: Thai liner Regional Container Lines (RCL) has reacted to growing congestion in the Philippine capital by adding a port call in the south of Luzon island.  RCL is restructuring its RMN service, with Batangas now being added to the rotation. The new RMN will operate on a weekly Singapore/Batangas/Manila/Singapore with two 1,700 teu ships.

 

Sumate Tanthuwanit, president of RCL, commented, "The Philippines has enjoyed strong economic growth in the past several years and rapid development as a result. By adding Batangas on top of the Manila call, we will provide our COC and main line customers the choice and convenience of shipping through either Batangas or Manila".

Sumate added: "With road and terminal traffic having growing considerably within metro Manila and its surrounding areas it is important that we offer our customers to have that choice of location and cost structure that best meet their needs".

 

Batangas’s port volumes in the first half beat the whole of 2013 as shipping lines increasingly are routing calls south of congested Manila. [30/07/14]