ICTSI exec vows smooth MICT ops, counsels check on supply chains

THE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) on Thursday said the smooth flow of cargo at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) is expected to continue with or without the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon next week.

During an online press briefing, ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian Gonazales made the assurance after citing measures they instituted together with relevant government agencies, including the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to prevent further congestion

at the MICT.

At the same time, he projected that importation modes would have to be changed after the pandemic, which has disrupted supply chains around the world.

In the initial week after the implementation of the ECQ in Luzon, unclaimed cargo within the

MICT started to pile up, prompting concerns it could paralyze the port area.

Following BOC’S streamlining of its procedures and DTI’S communication with importers, Gonzales said they were able to remove 92 percent of the cargo, which arrived since the ECQ declaration, from the MICT.

He also said they are also helping importers transfer their cargo to new locations nearer to their plants so that once the ECQ is lifted they can immediately resume operations.

“So we have a good situation now and we see this as something that will continue regardless if the ECQ is lifted on April 30 or not,” Gonzales said.

Virus threat

THE ICTSI official, however, noted they are still wary of the possibility of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at the MICT potentially affecting their operations.

He said they are trying to ward off such scenario by implementing rapid mass testing for Covid-19 among their employees.

“We are very committed to ensure that this is continuous until the threat of Covid-19 in the country disappears whether it takes one year or two years, so be it. We are committed to the employee tests. It is a full employees’ testing. Of course, following the protocols of the DOH [Department of Health],” Gonzales said.

Likewise, he said the ICTSI is coordinating with the local government of Manila to help in its anticovid measures especially for the communities near the MICT.

New norm

THE port operator expects the global business disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to alter importation trends.

Gonzales cited the case of the United States, which recently reported it is now suffering low meat production as many of it areas undergo quarantine because of Covid-19.

“So if you are importing critical meat food items from the US, it will now be time for you to look for other options, whether that is from China or Southeast Asia or any other markets, we need to change our supply chain,” Gonzales said.

He said this may prove challenging, especially as many importers worldwide will be doing the same.

“We are competing with the rest of the world. So we need to act on that and stop relying on our traditional ways and look for better ways to do things,” Gonzales said.