ICTSI asks cargo firms to unclog Manila ports

MANILA, Philippines — International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has appealed to cargo owners to immediately remove their containers at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) to ensure efficient maritime trade flow.

In a letter signed by executive vice president Christian Gonzalez. ICTSI called on  its consignees, shippers, and brokers/processors to withdraw their reefers  as well as pull out cleared cargoes immediately.

“During the enhanced community quarantine, our team at ICTSI has acted as non-medical support for our economy for almost two weeks to ensure that our country’s maritime trade flow is maintained. Unfortunately, we have now come to a point where it is becoming impossible to operate in an efficient manner,” Gonzalez said.

From March 1 to 26 alone, ICTSI said there were 8,201 cleared containers just sitting on the terminal, many of which are food containers and over 850 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) are refrigerated containers.

ICTSI said there are over 21,387 TEUs waiting for clearance and release that have been discharged after March 1, over 1,400 TEU of which are reefers. 

“Containers are simply not being removed from the terminal. We understand that it is unfeasible for some, and many businesses have been temporarily shut down, but without the full support of everyone that is able to open, we will come to a point when efficient operations will no longer be possible,” Gonzalez said.

For those unable to take delivery at their own facilities, ICTSI has recommended the utilization of the company’s offsite facilities in Bulacan, Laguna, or Cavite, where special accommodations will be made to those who will use the  facilities.

ICTSI has also appealed to the Inter-Agency Task Force to facilitate the immediate approval of transfer or condemnation through the Bureau of Customs of the more than 7,000 TEUs overstaying in the yard for more than 30 days, of which over 5,400 TEUs are uncleared overstaying boxes.

It said all cleared boxes which are over 30 days old should have approvals facilitated for the transfer to the company’s external facilities without delay.

“We will all overcome this crisis, but a quick return to economic normalcy will only occur if we all continue to play our part in keeping maritime cargo flowing. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will become. The longer we wait, the more of a disservice is being done to our country,” Gonzalez said.

The Philippine Ports Authority has expressed its full support to ICTSI’s call to its consignees, shippers, and brokers/processors.