Transport and Logistics – Page 3

11th October 20218th August 2022

EDC and Industry Leaders support full investment liberalization outside of the natural monopolies

The Export Development Council (EDC) manifests its support on the full investment liberalization outside of the natural monopolies through a joint statement of support with the Industry Leaders, namely the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP).

11th October 20218th August 2022

Mindanao-based Reefer Line offers US shipping services at lower cost

There is a silver lining on the issue of lack of vessel space and containers, as another Philippine shipping company based in Mindanao, the Reefer Express Line Filipinas, Inc. takes on long haul US route with its vessel MV Cool Spirit to help the exporters ship their goods amid the current global transport and logistics problem. The voyage started from General Santos City last 02 September 2021.

6th September 20218th August 2022

Royal Cargo commences maiden voyage to LA by mid-September

The Royal Cargo, Inc. (RCI) will commence its maiden voyage to Los Angeles by mid-September this year. Its launch will be made through one of the vessels of Iris Logistics Inc. (Iris Paoay), a Philippine shipping company 80% owned by RCI. Iris Paoay is a general container cargo vessel with 1100 TEUs capacity.
The maiden voyage will be a direct, non-stop service between the Philippines (MNL-CEB-DVO) and the US (LA).

7th July 20218th August 2022

Shippers ordered to ascertain VGM of their containers

Shippers are now responsible for obtaining and documenting the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of their containers, as ordered by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in AO No. 02-2021.

The Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Mandatory Weighing of Export Containers (PPA AO No. 02-2021), in compliance with the SOLAS regulations, requires the shippers to verify the gross mass of the packed container by weighing using calibrated and certified equipment or calculating the sum of single masses.

11th May 20218th August 2022

New JMC prompt LGUs NOT to Impose Fees and Taxes on the transport of goods and products

A Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) was issued to prompt local government units (LGUs) not to impose fees and taxes relative to the transport of goods and products. It is a tripartite effort by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), with the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Local Government Supervision (DILG-BLGS), and Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF).

11th May 20218th August 2022

Amendment of Public Service Act aimed to be passed in Duterte administration

The bill amending the Public Service Act is aimed to be passed within the remaining term of the Duterte Administration.

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Dominguez reported during his Sulong Pilipinas 2021 speech that to fully liberalize the Philippine economy, amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, The Public Service Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act will be pushed through as these three bills are certified as urgent by the President.

11th May 20218th August 2022

House Committee on Transportation pushes bills URGENT to address high international shipping cost

The House Committee on Transportation pushes house bills as URGENT to regulate international shipping line charges in the Philippines.

The issue of high shipping cost has been a long-standing problem in the country, and house bills 4462 and 4316 acknowledge that it has been prevailing since not one agency once stepped in and addressed it.

House Bill 4462 sponsored by Rep. Ong, once passed, will vest the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) the power to promote fair and transparent destination and other shipping charges among forwarders and agents of international shipping lines.

7th April 202114th July 2021

Philippine Airports Authority bill approved by House committees

The House Committees on Transportation and Government Enterprises and Privatization have jointly approved the bill creating the Philippine Airports Authority (PAA). Said bill is still subject to change based on the written positions submitted by different agencies.

7th April 202114th July 2021

Central Business Portal Rolled-out to boost PH Ease of Doing Business

The Central Business Portal (CBP) was rolled out to boost the Philippines’ Ease of Doing Business. CBP is a one-stop-shop for all business-related transactions such as securing business permits, licenses, and clearances. This is one of the primary initiatives of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other government agencies.

8th March 202114th July 2021

Shorter free storage period proposed in PPA’s policy revision

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has proposed revisions on their current rules on the commencement of the free storage period (FSP) and the start of the calculation of storage charges.

The proposal depicts shorter FSP for import cargoes, outbound-domestic cargoes, and cargoes entering any domestic port.

The existing five (5) day FSP rule for import cargoes starts after the last day that the last item of cargo is discharged from the vessel. While the proposal prescribes that FSP shall immediately commence on the actual day and time the import cargo is discharged from the ship.