FOREIGN shipping lines have started to lift their port-congestion charges, while trucking charges have gone back to pre-Manila truck ban levels in a sign that port congestion has been licked, according to government officials.
Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet Cluster on Port Decongestion, on April 13 said, “Congestion is completely over at Manila International Container Ports despite higher-than-normal volumes handled during the first quarter of this year.”
He said, “A number of carriers calling at MICT [Manila International Container Terminal] have removed their ‘Port Congestion and other Surcharges.’ This was a charge implemented by the carriers at the time congestion was experienced at the Port of Manila.” He added this “proves beyond doubt that there is no more congestion at the Manila International Container ports, thus the charge no longer needs to be implemented.” He noted other shipping lines are seeking approval from their regional head-quarters to drop their surcharges within the month.
“We also look forward to the return of trucking rates to its normal levels prior to the congestion,” Almendras said.
Almendras’s statement mirrors that of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary lawyer Victorio Mario Dimagiba’s who, in a text message on April 12, said: “We are happy to announce that these charges [port congestion and trucking] had been reversed or withdrawn or rolled back to preport congestion level and [to] market competition at work.”
The lifting of port congestion charges by some foreign carriers was confirmed by Association of International Shipping Lines President Patrick Ronas in a text message to PortCalls. He added other carriers will also follow suit.
Dimagiba claimed 12 shipping lines have lifted their port-congestion surcharges, namely, APL Maersk Line, MCC Transport, Wan Hai Lines, Yang Ming, Sinotrans, TS Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, SITC, Cosco and Alexandria Lines.
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