Asian Terminals Inc. on Wednesday said that both its Manila and Batangas ports are operating “at optimum level,” which allows for the “continuous flow of goods in the supply chain.”
William Khoury, the company’s executive vice president, said this feat is achieved through the “decisive policy of key government agencies…and the support of stakeholders and port communities.”
He cited specifically the joint administrative order issued by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that established stringent guidelines for the unhampered flow of cargoes during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
With the said order, overstaying cargoes were transferred to offsite container yards, freeing up space at container terminals.
“We are grateful to PPA, BOC, DTI and DOF as well as the Interagency Task Force for setting the right policy at the start of the ECQ. Government’s early intervention was critical to ensure that terminal operations remain unimpeded, so that the flow of food, raw materials, medicines, health equipment and other essentials remain unhampered, especially during this time of national emergency,” said Khoury.
Manila South Harbor operates at around 70 percent of its capacity, while that of the Batangas Container Terminal remained at 50 percent utilization rate.
“We also thank our dockworkers, our valued customers and other stakeholders for their support and for coming together to ensure that our ports remain upbeat at this critical juncture,” Khoury added.
He noted that the ports and logistics communities should “not let up on the positive gains” even as the situation at its ports remained stable.