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Port operator Asian Terminals Inc. reiterated its call for the immediate withdrawal of import boxes – both dry and reefers – as Manila South Harbor continues to handle increased import volumes
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ATI said current dwell time for laden boxes is “way beyond acceptable levels of 4-5 days” with 6,844 cleared boxes inside Manila South Harbor that need to be picked up
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The company noted it had previously made the request “individually” from its client shipping lines and importers
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If the situation does not improve in the next seven days, ATI said it will be constrained to implement a Philippine Ports Authority policy that instructs terminal operators to transfer long-dwelling cleared boxes to designated ports/container depots, with related charges to be shouldered by the importer
Port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) reiterated its call for immediate withdrawal of import boxes – both dry and reefers – with Manila South Harbor continuing to handle increased import volumes.
In a marketing circular dated May 26, ATI said current dwell time for laden boxes is “way beyond acceptable levels of 4-5 days, thus resulting (in) high yard utilization level that in turn impedes efficiency of both yard and vessel operations resulting to longer truck turn time and vessel delays in berthing.”
The company noted it had previously made the request “individually” from its client shipping lines and importers.
As of May 25, there were 6,844 cleared boxes inside Manila South Harbor that need to be picked up.
“As the port continues to handle increased import volumes, it is imperative that import dwell time is minimized in order for the terminal to continuously provide efficient service, and in order for the goods to freely and immediately flow to the communities,” ATI stated.
The port operator is again requesting for immediate deliveries of import boxes and if the situation does not improve in the next seven days, ATI said it will be constrained to implement Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Administrative Order (AO) No. 02-2019.
The AO instructs terminal operators to transfer long-dwelling cleared boxes to designated ports/container depots. All charges related to the transfer, such as trucking, lift-on/lift-off, and shifting, plus the regular port charges such as storage and arrastre, will be shouldered by the importer and should be settled prior to pick up from the designated depot.
“We seek your understanding, full cooperation, and immediate assistance on this to ensure terminal’s role as an international gateway for essential goods is maintained,” ATI said.
ATI’s circular follows a Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) memorandum dated May 22 that reminded importers, shipping lines, and other concerned stakeholders to strictly comply with prescribed timelines for the release of imported cargoes and re-export of empty containers.
The reminder by the BOC-POM district collector was issued in connection with a directive from the Commissioner of Customs, also dated May 22, 2026, calling for stricter monitoring and reporting of overstaying containers.
It also comes as overall yard utilization at Manila South Harbor — under the BOC-POM collection district — has been more than 70% for the latter part of April and May (per BOC-POM utilization updates). This compares with the more than 60% reported in the earlier weeks of April.
As of 7:00 am of May 26, Manila South Harbor’s overall yard utilization was at 80.54% while reefer yard utilization was still at a healthy level of 45.56%.
Relatedly, Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) also recently sought support from shipping lines, customers, and consignees to expedite the withdrawal of laden containers as the terminal continues to experience higher yard utilization and inventory due to longer laden container dwell times.
In a May 19 advisory to shipping line partners, MICT reported that approximately 41% of yard inventory remains beyond free time, placing sustained pressure on terminal operations and resulting in extended vessel waiting times and sporadic empty acceptance across the system.
MICT said it continues to intensify efforts to minimize the impact on vessels currently queuing at the harbor pilot station, and has been coordinating directly with customers and consignees to help facilitate and prioritize pull-outs.
Last April 29, BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Memo No. 69-2026 was issued directing BOC district collectors to ensure the strict monitoring of the movement of all incoming and outgoing containers, including compliance with prescribed dwell time, in order to initiate proper abandonment proceedings and/or collect duties and taxes in cases of overstaying containers.
READ: BOC orders strict monitoring of 90-day foreign container dwell time
Early this year, Manila international terminals have experienced high yard utilization rates reaching more than 100% due to “a convergence of seasonal, operational, and logistical factors observed since mid-December of last year”. The situation has improved since March, but utilization started hitting higher again in the past weeks.
BOC last March said it is looking to develop a comprehensive strategy to address port congestion, incorporating both operational and policy interventions.
The agency is reviewing container monitoring systems such as the Automated Container Movement Monitoring System, Customs Container Management System, and In-Transit Asset Management and Supervision System, and will pursue the accreditation of off-dock container depots.
READ: Draft rules on empty container monitoring system up for review
BOC will also draft a comprehensive order establishing trigger points and threshold levels to proactively manage and mitigate port congestion, particularly during peak periods from November to February.— Roumina Pablo
