SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay is reclaiming its place on the global shipbuilding map as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines (HHIP) launched its first locally built vessel, a milestone that could signal the beginning of a new era for Philippine heavy industry.
The Orion Jade, a massive 115,000-tonne crude and oil tanker, became the first vessel fully constructed by HHIP at the Agila Subic Shipyard in Redondo Peninsula, underscoring the Korean shipbuilding giant’s long-term commitment to making Subic a key manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the July 28 launch demonstrated renewed investor confidence in the Philippines and the growing attractiveness of the Subic Bay Freeport for large-scale industrial investments.
At 250 meters long, 42 meters wide and 21 meters deep, Orion Jade is more than a new addition to the global merchant fleet. Its construction showcases the Philippines’ capacity to undertake complex, large-scale shipbuilding projects while creating thousands of skilled jobs for Filipino workers.
HHIP President Im Dae Jun described the launch as a historic achievement for the company’s Philippine operations.
The ceremony brought together senior Philippine and Korean officials, including Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr.
Go said the successful construction of Orion Jade illustrates how strategic foreign investments can translate into jobs, industrial capacity and broader economic opportunities.
“The Orion Jade launch is a testament to our commitment to delivering projects that create quality jobs, enhance industrial capacity, and generate meaningful economic opportunities for Filipinos,” Go said.
Aliño pointed to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy, or CREATE MORE Act, as one of the factors strengthening the country’s appeal to global investors.
Republic Act No. 12066 introduced reforms aimed at making the Philippine investment environment more competitive, including a reduced 20-percent corporate income tax rate for qualified enterprises, streamlined local taxation and faster value-added tax refund procedures.
But perhaps the strongest indication of HHIP’s ambitions in Subic lies beneath Orion Jade itself.
The vessel was launched from a 550-meter dry dock, the largest in the Philippines, giving the shipyard the capacity to handle some of the world’s biggest commercial vessels. HHIP is targeting production of at least 10 ships annually beginning next year, potentially transforming Subic into one of Southeast Asia’s major shipbuilding centers.
The expansion could also deliver a significant employment boost.
HHIP currently employs around 4,000 workers at the Agila Subic Shipyard and plans to increase its workforce to approximately 7,000 as production ramps up.
The company provides workers with benefits that include free on-site accommodation, daily shuttle services, complimentary meals and health coverage beginning after their first year of employment.
For Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, Orion Jade also represents something larger than industrial investment. The Filipino-built vessel symbolizes the expanding economic and maritime partnership between South Korea and the Philippines.
Lee cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ambition to restore the Philippines as an important player in the global shipbuilding industry.
“Maritime cooperation between our countries continues to grow, further strengthening mutual trust and sharing a promising future,” Lee said.
For Subic, Orion Jade may therefore represent more than the launch of a single tanker.
With one of the country’s largest industrial facilities coming back to life, thousands of Filipino workers returning to large-scale shipbuilding, and one of the world’s biggest shipbuilders establishing a manufacturing foothold in the Freeport, the vessel could mark the beginning of Subic’s comeback as a global shipbuilding powerhouse.