Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) is planning to discuss with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) the possible imposition of extra charges once the total cost incurred due to the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code has been determined.
ATI senior vice president for Outports and Logistics Ramon R. Atayde said the company spent the most at the port of Batangas for add-on security equipment and training of personnel to enhance safety and security measures within the port.
He said the Batangas Port, run by its subsidiary ATI Batangas, Inc., formerly Aries Arrastre Services, Inc., underwent the most stringent preparations for the ISPS since it is an international gateway.
One of the biggest ports in the country, the port caters to passengers of big shipping operators and small roll-on/roll-off vessels, rolling cargoes, bulk and containerized cargoes.
Atayde said the costs incurred during preparation for the ISPS varied with the size of the ports concerned. “For instance, the Mariveles Grain Terminal in Bataan since it is only catering to bulk and grains did not need complex preparations,” he said.
Earlier, ATI chair and president Richard D. Barclay said terminal operators may have to impose port security charges separate from cargo handling charges to recover additional capital and operating cost.
“The question is: who will pay? Is it the [private] operator or the government? There must be some means for us to recoup our costs. This is entirely different from making profits,” Barclay pointed out.
He noted that costs arising from the implementation of various security measures should be absorbed by the government and not the private sector. But in the last few months, the government has “passed the task [of ensuring compliance] to terminal operators,” he said.
Meanwhile, ATI pointed out that the installation of x-ray machines at the ports is not required by the ISPS Code. Only the Bureau of Customs requires it as a measure to further enhance security within the terminals in receiving cargoes and in the process helping abate smuggling in the country.
