PPA: Sufficient Manila ports capacity during ASEAN meet

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The Philippine Ports Authority urged cargo owners to maximize their import deliveries during the ASEAN summit to reduce the commercial impact of the stringent security procedures on day-to-day operations. Photo courtesy of Manila South Harbor operator Asian Terminals Inc.
The Philippine Ports Authority urged cargo owners to maximize their import deliveries during the ASEAN summit to reduce the commercial impact of stringent security procedures on daily operations. Photo courtesy of Manila South Harbor operator Asian Terminals Inc.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) guarantees sufficient capacity at the ports of Manila despite possible disruptions brought about by strict security measures for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.

Still, PPA is urging cargo owners and consignees to maximize their import deliveries during the ASEAN Summit to reduce the commercial impact of stringent security procedures on daily operations.

The Philippine Coast Guard has imposed from April 26-29, 2017 a one-nautical mile “no sail zone” starting from the shores of the Mall of Asia down to Manila South Harbor, effectively affecting operations at Manila South Harbor, Manila International Container Terminal, and Manila North Port.

READ: No sail zone in Manila during ASEAN Summit

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also closed off parts of Roxas Boulevard, from P. Burgos to G. Puyat Ave., to motorists, particularly vehicles above 4,500 kilograms, to further boost security in areas that are close to the Philippine International Convention Center, the venue for the meetings.

“The Manila ports will observe normal port operations but on a calibrated approach as we have to give way to the ASEAN Summit,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said in a statement.

“However, even with the 5-day holiday that started Thursday, port capacity will remain sufficient to handle the volume of cargoes being unloaded at the ports,” Santiago explained.

Currently, the average daily cargo delivery by vessels is 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and the average daily gateouts, 7,500 TEUs. PPA said this makes for a “healthy” combined yard utilization of 60% and a per-crane productivity of 25 moves per hour.

Rerouting

Southbound trucks coming from the port can take the regular truck route from Port Area, turn left at P. Burgos, Finance Road, and Ayala Blvd., right at San Marcelino, left at Quirino Ave., and right at South Super Highway to destination.

Meanwhile port area-bound trucks south of Manila can take the South Super Highway, turn right at Quirino Ave., left at Plaza Dilao and Quirino Ave. extension, left at UN Ave., right at Romualdez St., left at Ayala Blvd, Finance Road, and P. Burgos, then right at A. Bonifacio to Port Area.

Northbound trucks from Port Area are not expected to be affected by the rerouting scheme, PPA said.

Manila port operators Asian Terminals Inc., International Container Terminal Services, Inc., and Manila North Harbour Port, Inc., have likewise announced they are deploying personnel for billing/payment concerns on April 27, 28, 29 and May 1.

“There will also be no alterations in the scheduling of the truck Terminal Appointment Booking System, so we are urging the cargo owners to make adjustments in view of the rerouting schemes being implemented by authorities,” Santiago stressed.