PPA moves to decongest North Harbor

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has revised berthing guidelines at the North Harbor to help decongest the Manila port.

The agency issued Administrative Order No. 02-2013 amending guidelines on the allocation of berths and movement of vessels at the North Harbor to ensure that berths are efficiently utilized.

“As a general rule, the common user and the ‘first come-first served’ policies in determining the berthing priorities of vessels shall be followed. We need to make this initiative with the North Port set to go into full commercial operations as the construction of its new passenger terminal building is almost complete,” noted PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana.

The revised guidelines will take effect on September 24. Operator Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI) will be responsible for the allocation of berths and movement of vessels inside the port, while the PPA will take care of berths at anchorage areas outside.

Sta. Ana explained that the entry and departure clearances of vessels will continue to be secured from and granted by the PPA, while MNHPI will inspect the clearances before any vessel can be allowed to leave the port.

Unlike before, he said idle vessels will no longer be allowed to use the berths.

The PPA chief said only vessels that will load or unload cargoes and passengers will be allowed to use the berths.

He added vessels in distress or a state of emergency will be prioritized.

“The new guidelines will cover vessels calling at North Port from Isla Puting Bato, Piers 2 to 16, Marine Slipway and the anchorage areas of the North Harbor,” he noted.

MNHPI constructed a new passenger terminal building, with capacity of 1,800 passengers at the port. The terminal is equipped with 3 X-ray scanning machines and a dedicated area for check-in baggage.

MNHPI is spending P5 billion to further improve North Harbor. It plans to extend the berthing facility so it can handle 5 vessels at a time. – Rappler.com