Featured Philippine Port: TMO CULASI
ROXAS CITY
The capital and commercial center of the Province of Capiz, and is widely known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”. Pan-ay was once the municipality of capiz, but later named “Roxas” after their greatest son Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Roxas City is located central east coast of Panay Island. It is bounded by the Jintotolo Channel in the North, the town of Panitan to the south, the town of Ivisan to the west, and the municipality of Panay to the east. It is 250 nautical miles south east of Manila, and 125 kilometers northeast of Iloilo City. (1)
POINT OF ENTRY: Port of Culasi
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi the first Governor-General of the Philippines orders his captain (Diego de Artieda) to establish a footing in the town of Pan-ay on 1569, and later on proclaimed it as the capital. Upon discovering Capiz with long coastal cover and good docking facilities for trading and shipping, a pier was constructed in Libas and later in Culasi. (2)
On 1926, Culasi Port was built to serve as transshipment point for inter-island vessel that carries products vital to the economic condition of the people living in the Province of Capiz and neighboring province as well. Libas Fishing Port on the other hand, provides anchorage to fishing vessel and serves as center for trade of marine products in the province. (3)
The then President Joseph Estrada issued a executive order nos. 121 on the 17th of July 1999 announcing Culasi Port in Capiz under the administrative jurisdiction of Philippine Port Authority, Port Management Office of (PMO) Iloilo. This port is currently serve by Culasi Port Services Inc. with 8 years contract to take care of cargo handling requirement for the said port(4)
Trans-Asia Shipping started a once a week trip from Cebu City to Culasi, Roxas v.v on November 26,2003, utilizing the then M/V Asia Brunei now M/V Grand Unity (plying Caticlan, Aklan to Roxas, Mindoro v.v). The said route was worked out by Chinese businessman in the city to capitalized the product offered by both province, but unfortunately the said shipping services lived short as RORO interconnection between the Island of Panay, Mindoro, and Batangas via Western Nautical Highway was introduced by the then Former President Gloria Arroyo on that same year. (5)
On 2008, the Port of Culasi was heavily damaged by super typhoon “FRANK” (6). A 15.2 Million repair project was undertaken to restore the damaged structure. This project includes the widening of the breakwater structure from 2.8 meters to 8.5 meters x 69 meters. The said port project was finished on August of 2011. (7)
Not to be confused with the municipality of culasi, in antique province (the home of Lipata port), and port of culasi (serves as the entry/exit point to Victorias, Negros Occidental) in brgy. culasi, municipality of Ajuy in the province of Iloilo. The port in Culasi, Roxas City is adjacent to the port of Dumaguit in New Washington, Aklan and the Port of Basiao in Ivisan, Capiz (a mere 17.450 kms away).
Barangay Culasi is a 20 minute ride to Roxas City with a public utility vehicle, whereas bus terminal to Iloilo and Kalibo is about 6 kms. more or less from here. Iloilo City is approximately 125 kms. /158 pesos bus fare on a smooth road down south. North Harbor on the other hand is 250 nautical miles north, a 19 hours/999 pesos minimum per person voyage via M/V Love-1 of Moreta Shipping Lines. On the other hand Batangas Port is approximately 12 to 15 hours away (750 pesos fare per passenger) via Asia Marine’s Super Shuttle Roro 1.
Please do note that the said above vessel’s plan of maiden voyage on the 15th of April 2012 from Batangas to Roxas via Romblon was temporarily suspended due to operational requirements yet to be accomplished by their company. But as soon as the vessel starts its operation, the scheduled voyage is reported to be at least 3x a week sailing to and from Batangas. Estimated fare for trucks is 15,000 pesos, while L-300 (12 seater) van cost at around 6,000 pesos. The said vessel can accommodate 25 trucks simultaneously, with 400 pax on-board.
Also a motorized outrigger for pax and cargo also serve this port to Kanalon in San Fernando or Cajidiocan both in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
HARBOR FACTS and INFORMATION
Port Location: Brgy. Culasi Roxas City, Province of Capiz
Port Name: TMO Culasi
Port Management: PPA/PDO-Visayas, PMO-Iloilo
Address: Brgy. Loboc La Paz, Iloilo City Philippines
Phone: (033) 337-69-45
Fax: (033) 337-69-45
Email: ppailo@philwebinc.com
Web Site: www.ppa.com.ph
Latitude: 11° 36′ 10” N
Longitude: 122° 42′ 36″ E
Port Type: Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size: Small
Total Area: 502,469.95 sq. meters
Shipping, Cargo, and Passenger statistics for 2002
Shipcalls………………………………………………………………………………..3,116
Ave. Gross Tonnage……………………………………………………………..680.14
Ave. Length/meters……………………………………………………………….31.81
Cargo throughput…………………………………………………………………..288.961
Container Traffic/TEU…………………………………………………………… 12,532
Passenger Traffic…………………………………………………………………….296,326
Embarked…………………………………………………………………………….151,117
Dis-Embarked…………………………………………………………………………145,209
Note: For updated statistics for this port, please visit http://www.ppa.com
Shipping schedule from/to Port of Culasi
PORT DAY/TIME
From North Harbor: Sunday and Thursday at 2PM
Arrival: Culasi Monday and Friday at 9AM
From Port of Culasi: Tuesday 11AM and Friday 2PM
Arrival: North Harbor Wednesday 6AM and Saturday 9AM
NOTE: Schedules are subject to change, please check www.moretashipping.com
REFFERENCES:
