Freeport Area of Bataan — The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has recorded an impressive 611.30 percent increase in ship calls since 2018.

In a report by the AFAB, the number of ship calls rose from 115 in 2018 to 818 by the end of 2024.

According to AFAB Administrator and CEO Hussein Pangandaman, the sustained growth in port operations is reflected by key performance indicators in vessel calls.

“A total of 818 calls were recorded as of December 2024 — 527 domestic and 291 foreign — harnessing the FAB’s strategic location, a key to fulfilling its vision of becoming an investment hub,” said Pangandaman.

The official cited that from January to April 2024, port activity maintained steady growth, averaging 95 vessel calls per month.

“A temporary dip in domestic calls in June, due to adverse weather and reduced transactions at Camaya Coast, was followed by a strong rebound, averaging 49 calls per month from July to December,” Pangandaman said.

The AFAB has shown significant growth in port operations, with domestic vessel calls rising by 10.48 percent and foreign calls surging by 50.78 percent compared to 2023, highlighting the increasing demand and competitiveness of AFAB’s port services.

According to Port Operations, monthly ship calls show that 66.7 percent are domestic, while 33.3 percent are foreign.