Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. lauded the government for cracking down on overstaying cargo at Manila ports.
“We thank the Philippine government for taking a hard stand in fast-tracking the disposal and reduction of overstaying and empty containers at Manila ports. The results have been immediate and go to show what determination and focus of purpose can do,” ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez said.
Roughly a month after the PPA issued an ultimatum for overstaying containers, yard utilization at the Manila International Container Terminal rapidly decreased by about 20 percent, from 90 percent in January this year to 70 percent at the start of April.
The healthy yard utilization occurred despite higher volume handled, especially in March where MICT handled a record monthly volume.
The terminal was able to accept almost double the number of empty containers it was receiving, freeing up trucks in the process which in turn resulted in more import pullouts. Shipping lines were able to bridge the gap in achieving their weekly empty container evacuation targets.
Import dwell time was reduced from 11 days in January to 6.6 days at the start of April. This resulted in zero ship queues compared to December’s peak season.
ICTSI also continues to transfer more overstaying laden containers to Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba.
“We are optimistic that most have understood the need for containers to move regularly and in a timely fashion, but the proof will come after Easter which historically has seen overstaying boxes surge,” Gonzalez said.
The government led various port stakeholders”•including ICTSI, Asian Terminals Inc. and international shipping lines”•in signing a manifesto of support on March 15 for the efficient utilization of Manila ports, encouraging the immediate retrieval of overstaying and empty cargo to designated ports and off-dock depots.
A joint administrative order will soon be issued by the Trade Department, Bureau of Customs and PPA to address concerns on unreturned empties and overstaying imports.
ICTSI said that even before the manifesto was signed, it took the lead along with Association of International Shipping Lines, Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations and Container Depot Alliance of the Philippines to undertake immediate measures to alleviate problems connected with returning empty containers.
These include the identification of depot areas that could be leased for empty storage, with ICTSI covering the cost of the lease; movement of more than 5,000 overstaying containers to bonded warehouses outside the terminal; and the use of the San Miguel Yamamura property near MICT to store and reposition of empty containers starting April 1.
The use of LGICT, a bonded facility in Calamba and the Cavite Gateway Terminal in Tanza, is also encouraged to improve truck movement.