PortCalls

PPA opens door for Harbor Center's box operations

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) may yet allow Harbor Center Port and Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI) to handle containers for the international trade.

PPA general manager Alfonso Cusi told PortCalls PPA is not averse to granting HCPTI's request provided the company proves it can accommodate bigger container vessels. "Based on evaluation, it was found that they are not yet ready for containerized operations. There are a lot of factors to be considered like equipment and the draft of existing berths because container vessels are much bigger (than non-containerized vessels)," he said. HCPTI has two key port facilities that can accommodate up to 12 vessels at any given time. It also has a 15-hectare back-up area. Cusi said the operator has long requested for the grant of a clearance to handle international containers. "It is only the approval that is up to us - meeting the standards is up to them," he pointed out. PPA granted the private port operator a permit to handle international breakbulk or non-containerized cargoes early this year.

The permit, despite protests from Asian Terminals, Inc. and International Container Terminal Services, Inc., was granted as part of the port agency's policy to foster competition, Cusi said. The PPA chief pointed out HCPTI must first comply with additional requirements which the agency has imposed, including the submission of a report containing all port developments; adherence to set productivity standards; adoption of port security plans; and the provision of offices for PPA and Bureau of Customs officials.

HCPTI said it has facilities for international vessels, well-trained port personnel in accommodating ships from various parts of the world. "We are experienced in handling vessels from Brazil, North America, Australia, Russia, Europe, Asia and from various countries worldwide," the company noted.

MICT dredging project to cost P198M

THE dredging of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) entrance channel to 14 meters from the present 12 meters will cost P198 million, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

The endeavor has been categorized as a capital dredging project because it goes beyond the 12-meter design for maintenance depth. MICT operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is planning to develop the terminal to accommodate post-panamax vessels. "There is need to immediately address the concern of ICTSI in the developments of the inner basin and wharf berths," said PPA Harbor Maintenance Department manager Tomas B. Carlos.

ICTSI's concern is in line with its commitment to further develop MICT under the contract it signed with PPA, and is in response to the growing needs of the shipping industry. The port agency is planning to conduct selective bidding for the project.

At least three dredging companies capable of undertaking capital dredging work of this magnitude and requirement will be invited. - Maritess R. Mesias

MOL vessel makes maiden call at MICT

The 1,100 TEU-capacity MOL Bright, a new vessel of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), recently made its maiden call at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

Arriving from Bangkok, MOL Bright discharged 17 TEUs and loaded 18 TEUs. After MICT, the vessel sailed back to Bangkok. MOL Bright is one of three vessels chartered for MOL's Bangkok-Manila-Tokyo-Yokohama-Shimizu-Nagoya-Pusan-Laem Chabang service. MOL calls twice a week at the MICT.

To mark the event, ICTSI presented a commemorative certificate to Capt. Jeong Chang Myeong, MOL Bright Vessel Master, and Eung Choul Park, MOL Bright Chief Engineer. MOL Philippines officers witnessed the simple awarding ceremony in the officers' cabin. ICTSI and MOL Philippines officers welcomed MOL Bright when it docked at Berth 3 of the MICT.

Representing ICTSI were Augusto Oblego, Operations Manager, and William Gutierrez, Customer Relations Manager. MOL officers included Miguel Garcia, Outports Manager; George Dolorfino, Corporate Services Manager; and Jose Juan Lacson, Marketing Manager.

GCCI elects new president

EMIRATES SkyCargo's manager in the Philippines, Rusela Romero-Rubin, has become the first woman to be elected president of the Global Cargo Carriers Inc. (GCCI), the association of cargo managers in the Philippines formed in 1997.

Joining Romero-Rubin as GCCI vice president, treasurer and auditor are executives from Nippon Airways, Continental Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

RP creates security arm for transport department

MALACANANG recently approved the creation of the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) under the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Transport Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said Executive Order No. 277, approved January 30, 2004, is in response to findings of the International Civil Aviation Organization for the need to have a singular and unilateral authority to implement and enforce civil aviation security programs in the country.

Retired Police General Cecilio Penilla has been appointed to head the OTS and carries the rank of Transport Undersecretary. Under the EO, the National Civil Aviation Security Program (NCASP) was adopted to meet international standards as stipulated in Annex 17 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation as well as Philippine laws on national or aviation security. OTS serves as NCASP's secretariat. The NCASP was formulated to address the present set-up of multiple agencies for aviation security. It will coordinate security activities of government agencies, aircraft operators and other entities. It will also coordinate and collaborate with the Task Force for Security of Critical Infrastructure under the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security.

The NCASP also provides the aviation sector with information and guidelines on standard policies concerning civil aviation security.

COSCO Phils. new director

COSCO Phils. Shipping, Inc. recently announced the appointment of its new director and deputy general manager Lan Chun Hai. Lan replaced He Zhan You who has returned to Tianjin to join COSCO Bulk.

PCCI president answers DMAP

THE Distribution Management Association of the Phils. (DMAP) said it has received over the weekend a letter from Noemi Saludo, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), addressing the association's concerns.

DMAP in its column published last Monday in PortCalls said Saludo had failed to answer a letter written by incoming DMAP president Ana Rose Ochoa. The column was submitted a day before Saludo's letter was received by the DMAP secretariat. Ochoa earlier wrote Saludo expressing concern over the appointment of personalities from the ranks of service providers as key persons in the PCCI Transport Committee and Sub-committees. DMAP also expressed concern over the splitting up of the Transport Committee into Sea, Land and Air Sub-committees, a move which the association claimed was a step in the wrong direction.

DMAP is presently preparing its response to Saludo.

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