Port of San Diego and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Celebrate New Relationship as Sister Ports

The Port of San Diego and the Philippine-based Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are embarking on a new partnership as sister ports. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, October 15, during a celebration with the Port of San Diego, SBMA dignitaries, and local leaders in the Filipino community. This new partnership uniquely enables the agencies to build trade opportunities, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on shared interests.

"The Port of San Diego is proud to become sister ports with SBMA," said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "Our commitment to innovation includes strong international partnerships, where we can create opportunities that extend far beyond our waterfronts. This new relationship will help our organizations better support global trade and reinforce our economic resiliency."

"With SBMA's support, we look forward to deepening our relationship with the Philippines and collaborating on future import and export cargo business opportunities in Asia," said Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab, M.D., Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "This MOU encourages both ports to share best practices that support our local economies, including sustainable port development, supply chain resiliency, and environmental stewardship."

SBMA's jurisdiction, located on the west coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines, is a former United States military base that was repurposed for commercial operations with similar business lines to the Port of San Diego. Land uses include cargo and cruise operations, shipbuilding facilities, foreign trade zones, hotels, marinas, restaurants, wildlife preserves, recreational centers, and an airport.

Subic Bay is the latest in the Port of San Diego's sister port relationships, marking its commitment to global relations and trade. The Port first signed an MOU with Sasebo, Japan in 1982, Ensenada, Mexico in 2004, and Nanjing, China in 2012. These relationships have strengthened the Port's global trade and cultural connections.