A PORT and industrial complex in Lemery, Batangas plans to house a cement silo and an oil storage facility, its developer said.
The project components include the Sinisian Lemery Batangas Port and Industrial Park, the Lemery Cement Silo Tank, and the Lemery Oil Terminal.
Ferdinand Co, president of Sinisian Lemery Port Industrial Park Corp., said that each segment of the project will require an investment of more than P1 billion.
The port can take vessels with a draft of 15 meters, which will allow it to handle Panamax-sized oil tankers and cargo ships, while the cement silo can accommodate 60,000 metric tons of bulk cement and slag.
The oil terminal, which is expected to start full commercial operations in January 2025, has a storage capacity of over 170 million liters and has signed on as a tenant of a major oil importer and distributor, Unioil Petroleum, Inc.
Mr. Co said that his family, which owns a construction supplies business, decided to expand into industrial storage to “help address the global supply chain disruptions during the pandemic that also affected domestic industries.”
“The effects of supply chain disruptions still continue to plague economies globally due to ongoing wars and geopolitical tensions,” he added.
He said that during the pandemic, businesses experienced setbacks due to the disruptions, supporting the case for facilities that enhance fuel security.
“The oil storage and distribution facility will be essential to increasing the fuel inventory, supporting the increase in demand, and improving logistics, particularly in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Southern Luzon,” Mr. Co. said.
He expects the complex to boost the supply of cement and slag supply in the Calabarzon area as the government embarks on its Build Better More program.
“Our cement silo facility should help ensure the availability of a major construction material,” he added.
Once operational, the project is expected to initially generate at least 200 direct jobs. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
