Port of Manila - History

History

The Port of Manila and the area dates back to Spanish and pre-Spanish rule of the Philippine Islands. It is recorded that Manila and the Philippines had trade relations with most neighboring countries at least as far back as the 9th to 12th centuries. Major trading partners included China and Japan, with ties to India through the areas that are now Malaysia and Indonesia. The Spanish-controlled Port of Manila handled trade primarily with China and other East Asian countries, with Mexico, with Arab countries, and directly with Spain from the 16th to mid-19th century CE when the port was opened to all trade ships.

The port was also the staging point for the Manila galleons, a state-monopoly shipping line running to Acapulco and back, which operated virtually continuously from the 16th to the early 19th century CE.

Manila Bay was the setting for the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 between United States and Spanish forces, and the siege of Corregidor Island by invading Japanese forces in 1942.