Ports to be cleared of overstaying containers

Overstaying containers in ports nationwide will soon be cleared, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with port management officials, inked a Manifesto of Support Friday for the efficient utilization of Philippine ports.

The manifesto of support aims to prevent the imbalance of inbound and outbound containers borne by the unscrupulous practice of using the ports for prolonged storage of their containers until the withdrawal of goods will yield to maximum profit.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade witnessed the manifesto signing, which was inked by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Senior Vice President Christian Gonzales, Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) Senior Vice President Sean Perez, and Association of International Shipping Lines President Patrick Ronas.

“I give my full commitment and full happiness in witnessing the manifesto. Signing this manifesto is one thing, doing and implementing it is another, and going beyond it will equally spell good business relationships within the country... This is not for show. This is for real,” Secretary Tugade emphasized.

Under the manifesto, the PPA will publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation, directing all cargo owners, shippers, consignees, logistics operators, and customs brokers to withdraw cleared containers currently being stored at ports within 15 days from the date of publication. Failure to comply will lead to the transfer of containers to designated Inland Container Depots by the ATI and ICTSI, at the expense of the concerned parties.

Additionally, cleared containers by Customs that were not removed from the port within 30 days will also be transferred by ATI and ICTSI to their respective Inland Container Depots.

Aside from the removal of overstaying containers, ATI and ICTSI shall regularly provide the government with information on the health of their respective ports, and information on containers that have stayed at the port for at least 30 days from arrival.

“Today is a milestone as all stakeholders from the private sector and the government have come together to implement a sustainable solution to face the problems in our ports,” PPA GM Santiago said.

Meanwhile, international shipping lines are required to promptly remove containers from the Philippines within the period prescribed by Customs, either by their regular call vessels or by sweeper vessels. The BOC will regularly dispose of seized or abandoned containers to ensure that the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and South Harbor (SH) are efficiently utilized.