Philippines congestion limits US shipments

As congestion in the Philippines continues to worsen, Maersk Line has doubled its surcharge and is limiting shipments from the US.

As port operations in Manila slow and the peak import season hits, vessel turn times are also increasing, leading to a rise in Maersk’s operating costs. In a bid to offset some of these costs, the Group is adjusting its surcharge for shipments from the USA and Canada to Manila, doubling it to US$300/teu, US$600/FFE (dry and reefer cargo).

Maersk Line is temporarily limiting shipments from US to Manila to “an absolute minimum" 

In addition, congestion has spread south to Batangas port, where slow operations are also leading to increased waiting time at the port affecting vessel turn time and resulting in delays. In an effort to relive the pressure, Maersk says it will be temporarily limiting shipments to “an absolute minimum”.

This will be done during booking stage at the origin of the cargo and will not affect the shipments that are already in the water.

Elsewhere, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is fast-tracking the construction of new yard facilities at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and at a new 21-hectar inland container depot in nearby Laguna.

Without any further changes to the road network or additional truck restrictions, ICTSI says the completion of these new yards will raise the overall capacity of Manila’s two international ports to 4.2 million teu. © Provided by  portstrategy.com