A Study of Subic Bay Maritime Traffic Condition and Risk Analysis

Abstract

This study focused on the maritime traffic condition at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippines. It is based on a one-year survey conducted in 24-hour monitoring of shipping traffic movements. Every month, the set is rigged in proximity to the Bay where the movements of ships are targeted. The data collected by the equipment are the ship’s tracks, the time of passage; the sizes and types of ships captured according to their LOA (length overall). These surveys were carried out in a one-day duration, each month, for a period of one (1) year to realize the pattern of movements of each ship captured around the Bay. The one-year survey conducted had shown that vessels continue to visit the Bay in various conducts of commerce. The tracks showed that the existing wharves and piers can handle medium-sized ships at present. The tracks, likewise, demonstrated that the entry/exit of vessels was scattered implying a random route chosen by vessels on a single area of the Bay. Based on the analysis of traffic conditions, it was identified that the bay lacks a traffic management system, like monitoring of movements of sea-crafts while plying in the bay, especially in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority area. It is then recommended to continue improving the infrastructure, systems, and redevelopment of the Bay, and to conduct a follow-up/continuum study to analyze the overall safety conditions of the Bay including the off- Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority area.