ABSTRACT: The paper presents the port investments and initiatives the Philippine Port Authority spearheaded, including financial performance and operational highlights. The extensive readings on the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) report, online searches, documentary analysis, observations from the press, etc., and interviews were evaluated and divided into Seven Super "S" Trends (SSS-T). This 7S-T includes STEMS, SIZE or SCALE, SPEED, SMARTNESS, SUSTAINABILITY, SAFETY and SECURITY, SCARCITY, and SUPPLY, which together would influence the future of global ports. These "S" Trends will be explained in light of current (2017–2018) projects, trends, best practices, and port investments that are being started and carried out in the Philippines despite obstacles and difficulties. The paper concludes with a few closing thoughts. The views and analysis set out in this paper are those of the author(s) and not the official viewpoint of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) unless otherwise the statement(s) of the person(s) have been quoted "in toto." The analyses provided in this paper are ideas and interpretations of the author(s) as maritime educators and researchers and are solely intended for academic discourse. Although the Seven Super Trends (SST) may use different terms, they may represent the same trends seen by port specialists because trends in ports are a global concern.

KEYWORDS: Safety and Security, GLOBAL PORT TRENDS, SIZE or SCALE, SPEED, SMARTNESS, SUSTAINABILITY,, SCARCITY, and SUPPLY, STEMS

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