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air cargo traffic down 4.53% in first eight months
INTERNATIONAL cargo and mail traffic in the Philippines
dropped 4.53% in the first eight months of the year,
according to latest statistics from the Civil Aeronautics
Board (CAB).
Inbound and outbound cargoes from January to August
totaled 180,645,964 kilograms, slightly lower than last
year's 189,225,058 kg.
Even if it did not submit cargo figures for July and
August, Philippine Airlines' (PAL) total for the first
half of the year was still higher than other airlines'
total for the first eight months, making it the leading
international cargo carrier for the period. The flag
carrier moved 25,828,227 kg for the first half of the
year, lower than the 28,340,464 kg it handled in 2002.
Second top cargo carrier was United Parcel Services
(UPS) which reported handling 18,497,184 kg, a whopping
168.67% increase from last year's 6,884,643 kg. UPS,
whose hub is located in Clark, Pampanga, is currently
lobbying for the granting of the Seventh Freedom right
to strengthen its domestic operations in the country.
Hong Kong carrier woes
Cathay Pacific ranked third for the January-to-August
period, handling a total of 15,186,884 kg. The figure
is 21.76% lower than the total load last year of 19,101,010
kg. The Hong Kong-based carrier saw its cargo traffic
slide in August to 1,823,764 - a 38.83% dip from 2,981,406
kg handled in August 2002. The drop resulted from significant
cuts in flight services as a direct result of the SARS
outbreak.
Korean Air's cargo and mail traffic saw a 1.87% uptick
- from 13,111,334 kg to 13,356,896 kg, placing it in
fourth spot for the eight-month period. August figures,
however, saw a 9.5% decline to 1,702,125 kg vis-a-vis
the 1,880,870 kg recorded in the same month last year.
In fifth place was Singapore Airlines which handled
12,042,790 kg, down 8.25% from last year's 13,125,052
kg. August shipments also fell 2.83% to 1,735,554 kg
compared to August 2002's 1,786,036 kg.
Thai Airways came in sixth with 9,227,986 kg, down 6.5%
from 9,869,872 kg moved in 2002's first eight months.
It saw shipments slide 18.26% in August to 1,063,126
kg from 1,300,683 recorded in the same month last year.
Also in the top ten were Northwest Orient, which carried
8,896,994 kg from January to August, up 13.72% from
last year; Nippon Cargo, which moved 8,536,354 kg, down
26.33%; Eva Air, with a total of 7,064,849 kg, also
down 21.36%; and Asiana Airlines, with 6,485,323 kg,
down 5.93% from last year.
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Economists,
cargo experts to speak at Cargo Economics Conference
IN this week's PortCalls-organized Cargo Economics Conference,
experts on the economy and the cargo industry will help
Philippine cargo industry players identify areas of
opportunities and avoid pitfalls for 2004.
The October 23, 2003 event at the Hyatt Regency Manila
gathers conference speakers who will detail the latest
trends and strategies that will help companies increase
profitability in the face of uncertain economic times.
They will also provide statistics specific to the needs
of the cargo industry.
Participants are CEOs and other key managers of international
shipping lines, freight forwarding, customs brokerage,
and other third-party logistics service providers.
Asian Development Bank lead economist Dr. Ernesto Pernia
will discuss the outlook for the global economy, and
National Economic and Development Authority assistant
director for National Planning and Policy Staff Scolastica
Cororaton, the local economy.
Other speakers are Dr. Hussein Lidasan, transport expert
from the University of the Philippines (topic: The Philippine
transportation sector); Edgar Milla, regional sales
director for global shipping line APL (key trends in
international container shipping); Atty. Agaton Teodoro
O. Uvero, partner in The Law Firm of David Leabres Uvero
Gaticales Sto. Tomas and PortCalls columnist (World
Trade: The Changing Landscape); Charles Brewer, DHL
Express country manager (prospects for international
air cargo); Angelito Colona, ASEAN Federation of Freight
Forwarder Associations president (the future of logistics
in the Philippines); Sean Perez, Asian Terminals, Inc.
vice president for marketing and commercial (terminal
operations); Atty. Romeo Sto. Tomas, Philippine International
Seafreight Forwarders Association director (seafreight
forwarding); Eduardo de Guzman II, Aircargo Forwarders
of the Phils. Inc. president (airfreight forwarding);
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) deputy executive director
Atty. Carmelo Arcilla (CAB directions for 2004); and
Philippine Ports Authority Port District Manager-Port
District Office Manila Leopoldo Bungubung (investment
opportunities in ports.)
After every presentation, a panel of private and public
sector cargo industry experts will field questions to
the speakers.
The panelists include PortCalls columnist Leo Morada,
an expert on information technology and its application
to transport and the ports; Francis Lopez, managing
director of InterCommerce Network Services and an expert
on B2B and B2C applications; Erich Lingad, president
of the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders
Association and president of International Consolidated
Phils. Inc.; Rene Cruzada, Philippine Shippers Bureau
deputy executive director; Modesto Ramos, senior vice
president of Hanjin Shipping; Cecille Reyes, Transport
and Communications assistant secretary; Herman Tuguigui,
acting manager of the Port Marketing Division, Philippine
Ports Authority; and Col. Leonardo Odo–o, executive
director of the Philippine Liner Shipping Association.
The conference is sponsored by Asian Terminals, Inc.,
International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Pilipinas
Shell, WG&A Philippines, Air 21, DHL Express Phils.,
Negros Navigation, and Smart Communications, and endorsed
by the Aircargo Forwarders of the Phils., Inc., Association
of International Shipping Lines, Global Cargo Carriers,
Inc., and Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders
Association.
To secure a place in the conference, call 551-1775,
551-3871, 834-2416, fax 551-3207 or email lalmonte@bworldonline.com.
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ICTSI
calls for tenders for Gdynia terminal expansion
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
will press ahead with the US$100-million expansion plan
for its Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Gdynia, Poland.
ICTSI secured ownership of BCT this year via one of
Poland's privatization initiatives, which saw it pay
some US$42 million for BCT.
Container traffic at BCT up until the end of September
has recorded a double-digit increase over the same period
last year. By year-end, the terminal is expected to
handle a volume substantially in excess of 247,907 TEUs
handled in 2002. Further strong traffic growth is anticipated
over the short to medium term with Poland's accession
to the European Union, likely to take place as early
as next year, expected to play a major part in this.
BCT is the primary export/import gateway for container
cargo moving between Poland and all other countries
around the world with regular liner services connecting
to the north European, UK and Baltic ports as well as
the growing prospect of a select number of direct services
to key world areas.
In its current configuration, BCT possesses four Panamax
dimensioned quay cranes and 11 rubber tired gantries
(RTGs), and offers an annual capacity of 400,000TEU.
ICTSI intends to call for tenders immediately for one
additional new quay crane, four 4 RTGs and for the "giraffing"
of eight of its existing fleet of RTGs to offer a one
over five stacking capacity as opposed to the current
one over three stacking capacity. New mobile cargo handling
equipment will also be acquired to expedite internal
yard movements, and a comprehensive new generation container
terminal management and operations system will be installed.
The initial tender will include the new and replacement
equipment acquisitions projected for the first 10 years
of operations. Overall, this first phase US$50 million
investment is intended to raise annual throughput capacity
at the terminal to approximately 900,000 TEUs a year,
and is expected to be completed by no later than 2007.
BCT, with input from its parent ICTSI, is proceeding
to call for tenders immediately for all the new equipment
and management systems to be introduced under this first-phase
expansion. A second tender, primarily relating to the
replacement of existing equipment, will be forthcoming
after the first eight years of operations. It is estimated
that an additional US$50 million will be expended in
this second phase.
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10 Ports
for Development as World-Class Terminals
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has identified
10 ports to be developed into world-class terminals.
These are the Manila North Harbor, South Harbor, Manila
International Container Terminal, and the Ports of Batangas,
Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Ozamiz, General Santos,
and Zamboanga.
"Over the years, these ports have witnessed the
concentration of trading activities, accounting for
92% of the total cargo traffic of base ports and about
80% of cargo traffic of government ports," PPA
General Manager Alfonso Cusi said.
According to him, while other ports are emerging as
equally important cargo distribution centers, the 10
remain as the major gateways, with their level of operation
regularly used as a barometer of port and economic activities.
Cusi noted after these ports have met international
standards before the 2010 goal, the development of others
with equally high potential will immediately follow.
- Maritess R. Mesias
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Hanjin
Shipping receives Ocean Carrier Excellence Award
HANJIN SHIPPING recently received the Ocean Carrier
Excellence Award from Global Shippers Association (GSA).
A shipper's association headquarted in Atlanta, Georgia,
GSA is composed of over 20 internationally recognized
companies, including General Electric and its affiliates,
Thomson Multimedia, and PPG Industries.
GSA presents the award annually to logistics-related
companies judged to have provided excellent and trustworthy
service. GSA for the first time this year named an ocean
carrier as a recipient of the award.
On October 7, GSA president Ron Painter presented the
award to President Won-Pyo Choi of Hanjin Shipping at
Hanjin's world headquarters located in Seoul, Korea.
At the awards ceremony, GSA expressed its appreciation
to Hanjin Shipping for providing ten years of excellent
service.
In a statement, Hanjin Shipping said it is honored to
receive the award. "It is a recognition of our
dedication to providing the most competitive and reliable
services to our customers worldwide," it said.
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BOC adopts
New Technologies to ease Shipment Declarations
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is adopting new technologies
from New Zealand and Singapore to enable importers and
brokers to electronically transact business with the
bureau via the internet.
Crimson Logic Philippines and Zeus Networks, Inc. recently
signed an agreement with the BOC to develop and implement
internet-based applications and solutions to allow importers
and brokers to submit and apply for import and export
entry declarations through the internet.
Crimson Logic, previously the Singapore Network Services,
developed the internet-based E-government system for
the Singapore government. Zeus, meanwhile, has a tie-up
with Electronic Commerce of New Zealand which developed
the automated Customs system for the New Zealand Customs.
Customs commissioner Antonio M. Bernardo said the project
will allow importers and brokers to submit and receive
confirmation on manifest, document, assessment, payment,
tracking and online release of shipments.
The two companies will be accredited as non-exclusive
service provider and offer their e-customs services
directly to brokers and importers that will, in effect,
empower the bureau's stakeholders to electronically
transact business.
"Conceptually, BOC stakeholders, specially small-and-medium
scale enterprises or one-time importers (balikbayans
and OFWs) can outsource their IT needs on a pay-per-usage
arrangement without having to invest or having access
to expensive computer software connectivity," Bernardo
said.
The companies will likewise explore and implement the
use of wireless, mobile and cellular phone technologies
in relation to the project which would allow importers
and brokers to transact business with the bureau even
on the move.
"They will also automate the electronic submission
and acquisition of permits and clearances with other
government agencies," Bernardo said.
The project, which is at no cost to the bureau, will
also provide to the existing modes of documents for
submission to the bureau, direct trade input electronic
data interchange through value-added networks, and the
entry encoding center.
Bernardo said the project will be carried out immediately
following the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
The bureau is now processing requirements for the release
of a P500-million grant which will be used to replace
aging computer equipment and upgrade software.
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PISFA offers
new subjects at 11th Multimodal Transport Seminar
NEW modules will be tackled at the Philippine International
Seafreight Forwarders Association (PISFA) 11th Advanced
Multimodal Transport/Logistics Seminar on October 28-30
at the Skyland Hall.
One of the new subjects in the three-day seminar is
Logistics and Supply Chain Management to be handled
by Danilo Ang. Ang took the Training of Trainors course
in Bangkok last year.
Jun Nonan will discuss the finer points of Project Cargo
Logistics while Reymaldo M. Lacson will explain Warehousing
and Distribution. Newly elected PISFA president Erich
H. Lingad will talk about Marketing and Sales.
PISFA training director Romy Sto. Tomas will discuss
International Conventions and Liability, Management
and Organizational Structure of a Multimodal Transport
operator.
Registration for the seminar is ongoing. Interested
parties may get in touch with Julie Sudia at the PISFA
Secretariat (tel. no. 816-0446). Non-PISFA members are
also welcome. Deadline for submission of registration
form is on October 23, 2003.
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PISFA
elects new set of officers
THE Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association
(PISFA) elected recently its new set of officers for
the year 2003-2004, following the resignation of Monico
David, Jr. from the presidency and Pinky Paner's permanent
assignment to the US.
International Consolidator Philippines, Inc.'s (ICPI)
Erich Lingad is now the new president, and Transmodal
International, Inc.'s Irene Manguiat the executive vice
president.
The other officers are: Eagle Express' Nelson M. Mendoza
(VP, Internal); Target Airfreight Phils.' Alice Mayo
(VP, External); Sea-Jet International Forwarders, Inc.'s
Bienvenido C. Anunciacion (Treasurer); Awards Cargo's
Tom De Vera (Auditor); and Pacific Shipping and Distribution,
Inc.'s Jose Roberto Adriano (Corporate Secretary).
Anunciacion and Adriano are the newest board members.
David resigned following his promotion to a more senior
position as member of the board of Aspac International.
At the same time, he was assigned to manage Aspac Group's
IT project company, Alpha Systems Technologies, Inc.
As the new president, Lingad said the plans and programs
of the association remain intact and on track."I'd
like to continue the project of Mr. David, one of which
is the creation of our own website," he said.
The website would help ease business transactions among
seafreight forwarders and create transparency in terms
of basic information and finances. The association said
the project should be carried out next year.
A major project for the term, Lingad said, is the transfer
of jurisdiction over seafreight forwarders to the Maritime
Industry Authority under the Department of Transportation
and Communications from the Philippine Shippers' Bureau,
an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry.
Another association thrust is attracting more members
to be active. "At times like these, we need not
bite each other's heads off. We need to hold hands to
prove that the sector is competitive enough compared
with other countries," Lingad noted.
Trhe association will also continue to hold sport activities
including golf, bowling and billiards tournaments.
On October 23, 2003, PISFA will hold a general membership
meeting at the Heritage Hotel to be keynoted by Ateneo
Center for Continuing Education executive director Larry
Marasigan. PISFA, together with the Aircargo Forwarders
of the Philippines and other industry associations,
is setting up an Institute for Logistics and Transportation
with the Ateneo unit. - Maritess R. Mesias
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