State-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Wednesday there is no congestion at Manila International Container Terminal and South Harbor despite rice shipment delays.
It said that as of September 2024, its records show that yard utilization at its ports is at 70 percent, indicating that the ports are operating well within capacity and are not experiencing any congestion.
The port authority said the average dwell time for containers at PPA-managed ports stands at 5.4 days, the lowest in history and just 0.4 days beyond the free storage period of five days.
This suggests that most cargoes are processed and released within the free storage period. However, the agency said some rice container shipments were taking longer to be withdrawn by their consignees.
It said while other cargoes are generally released within the allotted free storage period, some rice container shipments from some consignees remain at the ports for over 20 days despite having been cleared for release by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
This contributed to perceived delays in rice shipments and possible artificial increases in rice prices, the PPA said.
PPA general manager Jay Santiago reassured the public that the agency is committed to minimizing disruptions and enhancing the overall efficiency of port operations.
“Our focus remains on supporting a stable supply chain for crucial commodities, and we are dedicated to resolving any issues that arise in this regard. We appreciate the continued cooperation and support from our private operators, as we strive to improve service delivery and better meet the needs of the public,” Santiago said.
Santiago reminded cargo owners, consignees, brokers, logistics providers, manufacturers and other supply chain service providers to promptly transfer cleared, ready-for-delivery and overstaying cargoes from the ports, particularly at the MICT.
This will help ensure that there is timely delivery of essential goods to their intended end users, he said.
The PPA said it is fully aware of the critical nature of timely rice deliveries and is actively working to ensure that there are no artificial delays in the handling of these essential cargoes.
The agency said it continues to collaborate closely with other government agencies as well as with various stakeholders to further streamline procedures and improve the efficiency of cargo handling. It aims to further reduce delays and ensure that rice and other essential goods are processed and delivered as swiftly as possible.
