Manila: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is reshuffling berthing arrangements in order to ease port congestion in the country ahead of the Christmas season.
Vessels designated or arranged to call at the Port of Manila on an ‘ad hoc’ basis will be berthed at South Harbor or Subic Bay Freeport, according to a PPA memorandum released on Monday.
Those vessels calling at the Port as part of a regularly scheduled service will not be affected.
Vessels whose ports of loading and/or unloading are both South Harbor and MICT will be directed by the PPA to berth at South Harbor or Manila International Container Terminal upon arrival at the pilot boarding station.
“This measure will reduce the number of vessels waiting at anchorage. It will also prevent double calls of vessels. Instead of calling at the two ports for some of the vessel operators, they will call now only at one port,” the PPA said.
The PPA said the arrangement was temporary and would only be valid until November 30.
Yard utilization increased to about 90% during the All Saints’ Day/All Souls’ Day weekend from mid-80% as of October 31, a PPA spokesman told press. [5/11/14]
