During the term of D.G. McVean, there was increased shipping and port activities after World War I. Cebu Port was busy handling both products for exports and incoming imported goods.

Exports consisted of hemp, copra , coconut oil, maguey sugar and lumber while domestic shipments consisted of tobacco. On a per product grouping, hemp export in large quantities went mostly to the US and Japan market for the high grade and to Europe market for the low grade. The volume of both copra and sugar exports increased with the opening of local coconut mills and two large sugar centrals. Hemp and maguey fiber, lumber and tobacco were at a rise as well. Imports also increased, especially of mineral oil, rice, cotton goods, iron and steel products, coal leather goods and foodstuff. The result was a favorable balance between exports and imports.