The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has announced it is planning to modernize Davao's container port within the year due to the rising number of local and foreign shipping lines calling on the said facility, the Philippines News Agency reported.

The PPA made this announcement shortly after successfully upgrading the North Harbour and Batangas ports.

PPA general manager Oscar Sevilla said Davao's container port deserves further development as it is the country's second biggest port and Mindanao's largest.

At the moment, cargo-handling operations in Davao are contracted to a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services. Port development remains with the PPA.

"After Batangas port, which we already privatised, we will be giving Davao port top priority in our port development," Sevilla said.

"With additional shipping lines set to come in the next couple of weeks led by NYK, we have to improve the facilities of the port to accommodate additional traffic from these carriers," he added.

The PPA general manager said that Davao port is ready for a massive makeover.