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The Bureau of Customs proposed the conduct of regular coordination meetings among government agencies and industry representatives to ensure continued efficiency of port operations and proactively manage future capacity demands
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Suggestion was made during the recent meeting called by BOC to help address high utilization rates at Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal as well as empty container depots
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Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening planning and forecasting mechanisms, and streamlining the implementation of customs processes, including the dwell time rule and cargo release procedures
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BOC said industry leaders expressed their support for its initiatives and conveyed their readiness to work closely with the customs bureau and other government agencies
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has proposed the conduct of regular coordination meetings among government agencies and industry representatives to ensure continued efficiency of port operations and proactively manage future capacity demands at Manila container terminals.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, in a multi-sector dialogue organized by the BOC last week, underscored that efficient port operations are a shared responsibility that require close collaboration, transparency, and prompt action, BOC said in a statement.
The meeting was attended by BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) deputy commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero, AOCG officials, district collectors of BOC-Port of Manila and BOC-Manila International Container Port (MICP)t, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, port operators International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), and industry groups Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc. (AISL) and Alliance of Container Yard Operators of the Philippines (ACYOP).
The coordination meeting was the most recent called by BOC to help address high utilization rates at Manila South Harbor (MSH) and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) as well as empty container depots (ECDs).
Nepomuceno said the objective of the meeting was to sustain efficient port operations through early coordination, shared planning, and practical, data-driven solutions that support both government oversight and industry operations.
BOC said discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening planning and forecasting mechanisms, preparing for various operational scenarios, and streamlining the implementation of customs processes, including the dwell time rule and cargo release procedures.
READ: Foreign shipping lines complying with BOC order on container dwell time – AISL
District collectors also presented updates on yard utilization levels at MSH MICT, providing stakeholders with an operational picture and reinforcing the importance of proactive monitoring and coordination.
Nepomuceno said a regular coordination meeting will help address emerging issues and implement timely measures when necessary.
BOC said industry leaders expressed their support for its initiatives and conveyed their readiness to work closely with the customs bureau and other government agencies.
BOC said industry leaders also “highlighted the value of consistent communication and data-sharing in sustaining operational efficiency and ensuring the smooth movement of cargo, especially during high-volume periods.”
At the start of the year, port stakeholders sounded the alarm over the high utilization levels at MICT and MSH – especially for reefers – as well as in ECDs, since December last year.
BOC earlier reiterated to AISL members the strict observance of the 90-day container dwell time policy, to which the shipping line group said it has been complying with.
AISL president Partick Ronas earlier told PortCalls said empties at MICT are being loaded to ships for re-export, while MSH’s Empty Loadout Shipping Alliance (ELSA), which allows partner shipping lines to share vessel resources–continues.
According to BOC, MICT’s overall yard utilization for February was beyond 80% while reefer utilization ranges from above 90-100%. As of February 23 (the last public update from BOC-MICP), overall yard utilization at MICT was at 88.56% with reefer use at 101.20%.
As of March 2, overall yard utilization at MSH was at 81.29%, reefer utilization was at 61.58%, and bulk and breakbulk yard utilization at 53.63%.
ACYOP told PortCalls on February 26 that utilization at their members’ container yards was still around 85-89% but manageable. It must be noted that not all container yards are members of ACYOP.
