Higher port traffic spur growth

Local leaders yesterday acknowledged the significant contributions of the shipping industry to the overall efforts to alleviate the Commonwealth’s economic conditions which suffered a blow from the 1997 Asian crisis.

For the past four years, the Port of Saipan played host to about 59 United States military vessels that berthed on the multi-million harbor for days of rest and recreation stopover.

In 1997 and 1998, only four military ships — the USS Thatch and USS Juneau which anchored at Charlie Dock and USS Blue Ridge and USS San Jose that moored at the North Baker Dock respectively — called the Port of Saipan.

There was a noted significant activities at the international seaport in 1999, after the Commonwealth Ports Authority officially completed the construction of the facility under the Saipan Harbor Improvement Project.

At least 17 military vessels stopped over at North Baker Dock, Charlie Dock and outer anchorage in 1999. Last year, the seaport saw a major increase in the arrival of military vessels with over 32 R & R visits.

Seaport Manager Antonio Cabrera said four military vessels have called the Port of Saipan so far this year, adding that projections have it that more military vessels will come within the year.

Of the 59 military visits, USNS San Jose visited the island five times; USNS Spica, five times; USS Vandigrift, four times; USS John S. McCain, three times; USNS Flint, three times; USNS Kiska, four times, and USS Cushing, three times.

Association of Seaport Tenants and Operators of Saipan President Alex Sablan said theshipping industry has generated more than $25 million revenues for the government’s coffer since the completion of the harbor project.

Mr. Sablan attributed the continuing recovery of the local economy from the growth in the garment industry and the arrival of military vessels on the island. He warned however, that the grinding of the economy will one day halt and the day is set to come.

“There will be drastic repercussion when the wheels of commerce start to halt. Our days are numbered,” said the ASTOSI president during the opening ceremony of the CNMI Ports Week held at the Charlie Dock yesterday.

Also present during the opening ceremonies were CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios, CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas, Deputy Director Regino Celis, other ports officials and ranking officials of the visiting military ships including Capt. Gordon Dorsy of USS Chancellorsville; US Military Sealift Command Office in Guam Commander George Taylor, and Comdr. Mike Olmstead of USS Gary. (EGA)