MANILA, APRIL 26, 2017—The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) guarantees sufficient port capacity in the ports of Manila despite possible disruptions brought about by strict security measures for the Asean Summit.
Nonetheless, the PPA is urging cargo owners and consignees to maximize import deliveries for the entire duration of the summit to reduce the commercial impact of the stringent security procedures in their day-to-day operations.
The Philippines is hosting the 30th Asean Summit and related meetings from April 24 to May 1 at the Philippine International Convention Center to be attended by several heads of states that prompted the observance of strict security procedures.
As of the moment, the Philippine Coast Guard is imposing a one nautical mile ‘no sail zone’ starting from the shores of the Mall of Asia and the South Harbor effectively affecting the operations at the Manila South Harbor and the Manila International Container Terminal.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is also closing down Roxas Boulevard from Padre Burgos Street to Gil Puyat Ave. to motorists to further boost security in areas that are in close proximity to the PICC Complex.
“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.
“However, even with the 5-day holiday starting today (Thursday, 27 April), port capacity will remain sufficient to handle the volume of cargoes being unloaded at the ports,” Santiago explained.
Currently, the average daily cargo delivery from vessels is at 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) while the average daily gateouts is pegged at 7,500 TEUs, which is good for a healthy combined yard utilization of 60% and a per crane productivity of 25 moves per hour.
Southbound port-related trucks can take the declared regular truck route, i.e. from port area, left at P. Burgos, right at Finance Road, Ayala Blvd, right at San Marcelino then left at Quirino Ave., right at Osmeña highway to destination while northbound trucks coming from south of Manila can take Osmeña highway, right at Quirino Ave., left at Quirino Ave. Extension to UN Ave., right at Romualdez St., left at Ayala Blvd., Finance Road to 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.
Manila port operators Asian Terminals, Inc. and International Container Terminal Services, Inc., have likewise announced that 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.
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