Transport and Logistics – Page 4

4th February 202114th July 2021

Shippers to observe the Verified Gross Mass on all packed containers

All shippers will be directed to observe the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) on all packed containers. The shipper will be responsible for obtaining and documenting the VGM of the packed container cargoes under the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) proposed revised guidelines on the implementation of mandatory weighing of export containers.

The shippers referred to in the revised policy is the “legal entity or person named on the bill of lading or sea waybill or equivalent multimodal transport document (e.g. “through” bill of lading) as shipper and/or who (or in whose name or on whose behalf) a contract of carriage has been concluded with a shipping company”.

5th January 202114th July 2021

Roadmap launched to empower Philippine cold chain industry

The Philippine Cold Chain Roadmap has been launched with the primary objective “to guide the industry in the coming years and adapt to the “new normal” situation.”

This is the offshoot of the collective efforts made by various industry stakeholders that started in 2019. The Board of Investments (BOI) together with the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCAP) and Department of Agriculture (DA), other concerned government agencies, and private individuals collaborated to showcase the following: where the industry is at present, where the industry would like to go, and what are the plans to get there to sufficiently meet local demand and customer requirements and empower the industry.

5th January 202114th July 2021

ASEAN-JAPAN Centre underscores the need to strengthen Global Value Chains (GVCs) towards resilience

ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Secretary-General Fujita Masataka reported that many countries had felt disruptions of supply chains in this time of the pandemic. Hence the series of calls at the international and regional level for strengthening and rebuilding of value chains such that of the G20 Actions to support world trade and investment in response to COVID19 on 14 May 2020, and the Hanoi Plan of Action on Strengthening ASEAN Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Connectivity in Response to the COVID19 pandemic on 19 June 2020.

2nd December 202014th July 2021

Bill creating Transportation Safety Board nears enactment

The legislation creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board is nearing enactment after hurdling the House Appropriation Committee on Wednesday, 18 November 2020. The bill was previously approved jointly by the Transportation and Government Reorganization Committees. The Senate has earlier approved its version on the third and final reading.

The PTSB shall be a non-regulatory and autonomous agency attached to and under the general supervision of the Office of the President. It shall be the primary agency responsible for the conduct of impartial investigation on transportation-related accidents and incidents. The main
objectives of the PTSB are (a) to improve transportation safety measures that will help in the prevention of transportation accidents and mitigation of dangers to human lives and property, and (b) to ensure the implementation of transportation safety standards.

2nd December 202014th July 2021

Export shipment tips for saving up and managing freight cost

Exporters were given tips on how to save up and manage their freight cost in the recently conducted forum of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) as a part of the capacity and community building activities for FAME+. CITEM Executive Director Ms. Pauline Suaco-Juan stated that one of the prevailing issues that exporters face is the shipping cost. Speakers of the said forum provided the necessary information to help exporters in navigating costs and consolidation in shipping.

10th November 20204th February 2021

PPA proposes rates for out-of-gauge cargoes and foreign empty containers

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) presented their proposed arrastre, stevedoring, and storage rates for out-of-gauge (OOG) cargoes, and arrastre rates for empty foreign containers during their 1 October 2020 public hearing.

The proposed OOG rate will be using the multiplier factor of 3. Meaning, for the existing arrastre fee of a 20-foot container amounting to Php 3,516.00, the proposed OOG rate will be Php 10,548.00.

10th November 20204th February 2021

ARTA launches program NEHEMIA for the logistics sector

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) launched Program NEHEMIA for the Logistics Sector, making it the third sector launched among the five identified sectors under the program.

ARTA’s Program for National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-Related Agencies (NEHEMIA) is a sectoral-based streamlining effort aimed to reduce time, costs, requirements, and procedures in the government sector. One of the five identified sectors is the logistics sector, along with the common towers and interconnectivity sector, the housing sector, the food pharmaceutical sector, and the energy sector.

21st September 20204th February 2021

Online System for all port processes and payment made mandatory thru Joint Memorandum Circular

The online filing, processing, and payment of port charges and other related fees is now made mandatory through a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC). With the JMC, it is now mandatory for all port users to file their applications online for permits and clearances for the release of cargoes from PPA, BOC, and other port operators including International Container Terminals Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI), and Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (HCPTI); and payment of corresponding fees shall be done through the accredited banks and payment channels.

13th August 20204th February 2021

SCMAP advocates to abort NORTHPORT’s New Berthing Procedure due to doubling costs

The Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) advocates to abort NORTHPORT’s new berthing procedure as it doubles the costs of doing business making the prices of goods more expensive for the consumers.

13th July 20204th February 2021

DOTr creates an office against unreasonable shipping charges

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) creates an office against unreasonable charges to be known as the Shippers’ Protection Office (SPO).

Under DOTr Department Order (DO) 2020-008, the established SPO will serve as a body that will protect and assist shippers, both international and domestic, against unreasonable fees and charges imposed by international and domestic shipping lines. This applies to all complaints and issues related to the rates, charges, practices and operations of international and domestic shipping lines in the country.