The domestic shipping industry plays a major role in the Philippine economy. In 2022, trade passing through the country’s ports generated a total revenue of Php 20.531 billion. One of the major hotspots of trade and shipping activity is the Verde Island Passage (VIP). The VIP is also known for being a biodiversity hotspot. In 2005, it was identified as the “center of the center of the marine shore fish biodiversity” in the world. For this reason, the VIP has been touted as the “Amazon of the oceans”. 

The VIP has reached this level of significance to the shipping industry as it holds a strategic position, connecting the South China Sea with Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea, which acts as the main shipping route between Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao and a popular shipping route to international ports in Batangas, Manila, and Subic Bay. It also is being passed by many ferries to and from different provinces like Batangas, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon. A total of 476,156 vessel calls were recorded throughout the country’s ports in 2022. In Batangas, Mindoro, and Marinduque alone there were 76,226 vessel calls in total.

The VIP is also confronted with the threat of massive development from the fossil gas and LNG industries. In total, there are eight gas-fired power plants, one commissioned LNG terminal, and eight more LNG terminals being proposed in the Philippines. The VIP, or Batangas province to be precise, is the epicenter of this mad dash for gas. This will result in an expected growth of demand for LNG, and increase of LNG tankers and shipping traffic.