The operator of the Manila South Harbor saw yard utilization improving to “optimal levels” amid steps to free up yard space and ease cargo flows at the international gateway.
As of March 4 this year, Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) said yard utilization hit 65 percent, coming down from about 90 percent in the preceding weeks. ATI credited the collaboration it undertook with international shipping lines, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority.
ATI noted that last month, major international shipping lines agreed to share vessels and optimize terminal resources “to immediately evacuate empty containers from Manila and surrounding areas through Manila South Harbor.”
CMA-CGM Group, T.S. Lines, Evergreen, Yang Ming Lines, Wan Hai Lines and Hyundai Maritime participated in the recirculation of empty containers to other Asian destinations, with a commitment of jointly pulling out 10,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) from Manila South Harbor on a weekly basis.
This continued despite disruptions caused by a fire at the BOC’s headquarters on Feb. 22, ATI said. In the final week of February, over 14,000 TEUs of laden boxes were delivered to customers, a record-high for Manila South Harbor.
In related developments, ATI has transferred over 470 TEUs of overstaying boxed cargoes to its Batangas Port in past weeks, with the approval of the BOC. More overstaying cargoes are eyed for transfer as soon as BOC processes are completed.
ATI is currently complementing ongoing port efficiency measures by developing more container yard facilities outside the Port of Manila, which are expected to be operational by the second quarter.