Bananas represent about 70% of products handled at Sasa Wharf, which is nearing capacity with berth utilisation at 90%.
A port site inspection, port operations assessment and discussions with representatives of terminal operators and major shippers have already been carried out.
Foreign shipping lines have expressed their wish to expand the facility and are recommending repair of the terminal structure so it can accommodate ship-to-shore quay cranes that could reduce vessel turnaround time from 48 hours to 24 hours. At the moment, only self-sustaining vessels call at the port.
The gGvernment also wants to dedicate the Sasa Wharf to foreign vessels only, and for the port to implement a policy allowing shipping lines to buy docking slot time instead of the current first-come first-serve policy.
Cargo throughput in Davao has been growing at 7-8% annually since eight years ago and the PPA is looking to privatise the Sasa Wharf later this year.