Recognizing the critical role of truckers in maintaining the uninterrupted movement of cargo, the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO) convened a Consultative Meeting on 28 May 2026 at Vin 55, Rizal Park. The meeting brought together representatives from the trucking sector, international shipping lines, terminal operators, container yard operators, and other key logistics industry partners to discuss the continuing challenge of high yard utilization and its impact on container withdrawals, empty returns, truck turnaround times, and overall supply chain efficiency.
In her opening remarks, ACTOO Chair and Vice President Ms. Rina Papa emphasized that the current high yard utilization situation affects all sectors of the logistics industry and that meaningful solutions can only be achieved through collaboration and open dialogue among industry partners. She noted that while various sectors face distinct operational challenges, addressing the issue requires a shared understanding of the factors affecting container movement and supply chain performance.
The meeting was attended by representatives from nineteen (19) international shipping lines, terminal operators Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), the Alliance of Container Yard Operators of the Philippines (ACYOP), and members of the ACTOO trucking community. The gathering served as a venue for industry partners to exchange perspectives, share operational updates, and identify practical measures to improve cargo and container flow across the logistics chain.
The Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc. (AISL) presented an overview of prevailing industry conditions and highlighted that utilization levels in 2026 have remained consistently higher than the previous year, driven by continued import growth and increasing demand for logistics capacity. The presentation emphasized the importance of proactive coordination among industry partners to ensure that available logistics resources are utilized efficiently and that cargo continues to move despite growing operational pressures. AISL also underscored that high yard utilization is a shared supply chain challenge that requires coordinated action from all sectors involved in cargo movement.
ATI and ICTSI likewise shared updates on current terminal conditions and the measures being undertaken to manage capacity limitations. ATI discussed initiatives aimed at maintaining operational efficiency, including the transfer of customs-cleared containers to off-dock facilities when necessary. ICTSI, meanwhile, highlighted the challenges associated with accepting additional empty containers amid elevated import volumes and emphasized the importance of accelerating import cargo withdrawals to create additional operating space within the terminals.
From the container yard sector, ACYOP presented the challenges being encountered by off-dock facilities and emphasized that high utilization creates a chain reaction throughout the logistics ecosystem. Discussions focused on bottlenecks affecting container movement, including pre-advise processing, empty container returns, equipment availability, and coordination among industry partners. ACYOP underscored that maintaining the continuous movement of containers is essential to preserving capacity and supporting efficient logistics operations.
Representing the trucking sector, ACTOO highlighted the operational realities faced by truckers as they navigate increasing utilization levels across terminals and depots, changing empty return requirements, limited return windows, and longer turnaround times. Participants recognized that truckers play a vital role in connecting every segment of the logistics chain and that maintaining efficient truck movement is essential to sustaining cargo flow between ports, depots, warehouses, and consignees.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for industry partners to discuss policy developments affecting the sector, including an attempt by some sectors to revisit a proposed 2018 Joint Administrative Order (JAO) which has since been abandoned and replaced by 3 legislative bills currently pending in the House and the Senate. Participants exchanged views on the potential implications of such measures and emphasized the importance of ensuring that future policies support trade facilitation, operational efficiency, and balanced stakeholder interests.
ACTOO raised the need for the establishment of stronger communication channels among industry partners, closer coordination with terminal operators, continued efforts to improve empty container evacuation and repositioning, and a collective call for the timely withdrawal of import containers to help create additional capacity within terminals and depots. Participants likewise acknowledged the positive initiatives already undertaken by various shipping lines and logistics sectors, including the expansion of empty container return options, acquisition of additional container yards, improvements in pre-advise processes, and other operational enhancements aimed at improving cargo flow.
