ICTSI backs waiver of accreditation fee in Subic port terminal

International Container Terminal Services Inc. unit Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) supports the move of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to waive the accreditation fee for container-port related businesses anew, saying this would encourage greater use of the freeport.

SBITC, which operates the Subic Bay Freeport, said in a statement, the extended implementation of the free accreditation would provide opportunity for more firms to invest in Subic and promote the freeport.

“We commend SBMA for continuing this initiative. SBITC will do its part in ensuring support and quality service to businesses that will use our container freight station and container terminals,” SBITC president Roberto Locsin said.

The SBMA has decided to extend the free accreditation fee initiative for container-port related businesses from April 13, to Dec. 31 this year to entice more businesses to use Port of Subic’s container terminals.

Following last year’s guidelines, the $200 accreditation fee would be waived for the first 80 new business entrants and first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.

The guidelines will cover ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services.

To be entitled to free accreditation, firms should guarantee to bring at least one container within one month from filing or renewal of accreditation certification.

The free accreditation initiative was first implemented from Oct.18 to Dec.31 last year.

“The free accreditation initiative received positive feedback which is why we are bringing it back this year to encourage more businesses to make use of the Port of Subic’s container terminals,” SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma Eisma said.

Through the free accreditation, SBMA intends to help ease congestion at the Ports of Manila, as well as increase the use of the Port of Subic Bay’s Container Terminal.

The program is likewise intended to help small and medium enterprises.

At present, SBITC manages and operates the Port of Subic’s two modern container terminals.