DOTr to launch country’s first barge terminal before end of November

Tranport Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday said government will be launching the country’s first barge terminal possibly by November 26.

This will be the first container barge port in the country and it is to be launched at the Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT) in Tanza, Cavite.

“Ilulunsad natin before the end of November, I think on Nov. 26, yung kauna-unahang barge terminal operation dito sa Republika,” Tugade said in a press conference.

The CGT will allow trans-shipment of cargo from international ports in Manila to Cavite through barges and roll-on roll-off operations.

Tugade said the container barge terminal will help decongest traffic in major roads as cargo containers will be off the road.

“Ang objective ho nito, mawala na containers na 20-footer na bumabaybay sa kalsada. Tatakbo na lang yan sa laot. Para nang sa ganoon, lumuwag luwag ng kaunti yung trapiko,” he said.

Tugade said he wants to start semi-operations to connect the Mall of Asia (MOA), Sangley and Tanza in Cavite.

“Habang tinitingnan natin ito, gusto ko hong umpisahan, yung semi-operation, gusto ko magkaroon ng semi-operation para ma-connect yung MOA at Sangley at Tanza,” Tugade said. /muf