DP World and Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) today celebrated the unveiling of the new Batangas Passenger Terminal, marking the completion of a two-year, US$25 million modernisation project that heralds a new era of safe, comfortable, and convenient travel for millions of Filipinos. 

Located 110km from Manila, the Batangas Passenger Terminal serves as the country’s largest inter-island hub, connecting mainland Luzon to key island provinces and destinations in Visayas and Mindanao. The Batangas Port also hosts a container terminal primarily serving the Calabarzon region which is home to major economic zones and accounts for about 15% of Philippine GDP. 
The modernisation initiative, officiated by His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, has more than doubled the terminal's capacity, accommodating up to eight million passengers annually. 

He was joined by dignitaries including His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World; Jaime Bautista, Secretary of the Department of Transportation; Jay Daniel Santiago, General Manager of Philippine Ports Authority; and Eusebio Tanco, President of ATI. 

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, expressed his optimism about the project’s transformative impact: “The Batangas Port – specifically, the passenger terminal – has become an integral part of daily lives of millions who pass through to get to school, work and home. This project is an additional boost to enhance overall passenger experience, and I’m heartened by the trust which our partners have placed in us to help realise our shared vision of transforming Batangas Port to a world-class terminal. We will also continue to invest in high-impact port development projects through ATI, our strategic partner in the Philippines, to reinforce the port’s role as a trading hub in the region.” 

Eusebio Tanco, President, ATI, said: “The Batangas Port serves as an important linchpin in the Philippine nautical highway system, connecting people and goods to the rest of our archipelagic nation. With the completion of this modernisation project, we are heralding a new era of marine transportation, characterised by utmost comfort, safety, and convenience for travellers, on par with the world’s best. Through our partnership with DP World, we have successfully transformed the Batangas Port into the country’s biggest, busiest, and most modern domestic inter-island hub, ready to support greater domestic integration and play a bigger role in economic transformation.” 

Jay Daniel R. Santiago, General Manager, Philippine Ports Authority, said: “Guided by our vision to cement the port’s role as a key asset for the movement of goods and people, we have, over the years, made strategic investments to modernise our container and passenger terminals. Leveraging DP World’s and ATI’s strategic partnership in operating world-class ports and terminals, we are confident that the Batangas Port will continue to grow in prominence to facilitate trade and tourism, as well as transform the lives of millions.” 

Enhanced comfort and greater convenience for passengers 

The modernised 15,000-sqm terminal boasts state-of-the-art facilities and amenities for the comfort and convenience of its passengers. Among the more distinct features are its tall-ceiling design, which gives the marine terminal the feel of an airport, along with centralised air-conditioning, energy-efficient LED lights, and comprehensive passenger services such as restaurants, shops, clean restrooms, and prayer rooms. The terminal also provides infrastructure, shuttle van services, and electric vehicles to ensure accessibility and convenience for passengers of all abilities. 

The Batangas Passenger Terminal modernisation project represents DP World’s commitment to driving sustainable growth and development in the Philippines. In addition to commercial objectives, DP World and ATI have also been making a positive difference in the community through sustainability programs anchored on children, water and women. These include academic scholarships for underserved segments of society, watershed reforestation and mangrove plantation, Manila Bay rehabilitation, and women empowerment programs in partnership with government and non-governmental organisations. 

DP World in the Philippines 

DP World became the strategic foreign equity partner of ATI in 2006 and has contributed significantly to the modernisation of the Batangas Port as a fully integrated gateway. 

Along with the passenger terminal, Batangas Port also has a state-of-the-art container terminal and the Philippines’ biggest car carrier terminal which accounts for around 80% of the country’s annual car importations. Both were upgraded in 2018 and 2019 respectively, part of a US$90 million investment programme with the Philippine Ports Authority to transform Batangas Port into a world-class and modern facility.