Manila: The government of the Philippines is looking to try and push through legislation that would cap rates charged by international shipping lines calling in the Southeast Asian archipelago.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been in touch with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) over the issue. It forms part of a bigger discussion over plans to change the nation’s cabotage laws as well as trying to ensure the congestion that plagued Manila port for months last year is not repeated.
The DTI is looking to regulate shipping rates in the same way it has energy prices. Manila established an Energy Regulatory Commission to monitor and approve any price increases in power bills – a similar body could be created for shipping.
