Gov’t imposes fees for unclaimed cargoes at Manila ports

MANILA, Philippines – Importers with overstaying cargoes at the Manila ports will be fined a P5,000 ($114.70*) storage fee as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) implements measures to unclog the ports.

Starting Tuesday, September 9, Customs-cleared cargoes will be shipped out from Manila ports, PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana said.

The fee accounts for the cost of storing the cargoes at the ports, on top of the transfer fees and other possible chargers “regardless if the cargo is in Subic, Batangas, or Inland Clearance Depots (ICDs),” he said.

A sweeper vessel chartered by the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) would begin relocating the boxes of multinational firms, said Sta. Ana.

Earlier, the vessel lifted 1,154 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from the Manila International Container Terminal to the Subic port as preparation for the onset of the cargo peak season this September.

The ports of Subic and Batangas have been identified as buffer ports where the unclaimed containers would be transferred.

Also, the government is looking at two areas in Manila that can be depots for empty containers.

Meanwhile, Sta. Ana said that the PPA would waive its share of cargo handling fees by 20% for cargo owners who would be withdrawing their boxes on Sunday and Monday morning, the days PPA encourages shippers to pick up their imports due to low utilization rates.

“We will continue with this initative until we have met the desired number of containers inside the two Manila ports, which equivalent to a 60% yard utilization,” Sta. Ana said in a statement.

Trade lanes to defy truck ban hours

A Cabinet cluster tasked to solve port congestion has “modified” the Manila truck ban allowing for more time for cargo trucks to travel from the Manila harbor to warehouses.

The ban will be implemented from 6 am to 10 am, and 5 pm to 10 pm.

During off hours from 10 am to 5 pm and from 10 pm to 6 am, trucks will be allowed to deliver cargoes from the ports to warehouses except along the following routes:

• EDSA from Magallanes to Balintawak
• Katipunan from Santolan to Commonwealth Avenue
• Ortigas Avenue from Santolan to Sta. Lucia
• Taft Avenue
• CM Recto and Espana from Rotonda to Quezon Boulevard

“However, if trucks have a last mile tag, it can reverse any route even during truck ban hours except the routes mentioned,” said Sta. Ana.

Congestion at the country’s busiest ports has resulted in higher prices of consumer goods.

Government statistics noted a decrease in imports for the second straight month in June because of the congestion. – Rappler.com

*$1=P42.73