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The Bureau of Customs is calling for a more efficient way to move empty containers out of Manila’s terminals, warning that utilization needs to improve before cargo volumes rise again during the traditionally busy “ber” months
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Only 90% of containers that entered Manila’s terminals in the first seven months of 2026 were exported back out, the lowest release rate in recent years
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Manila South Harbor is a net exporter of empties, consistently shipping out more containers than it receives
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Manila International Container Terminal, which handles 60% of inbound containers, remains a negative net exporter of empties
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) called for a more efficient way to export more empty containers out of Manila terminals to improve utilization, especially before volumes increase again during the traditionally busy “ber” months.
From January to July 2026, MICT and South Harbor processed 1.37 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of imports but exported only 1.231 million TEUs of laden and empty containers. This 90% release rate is down from 95% in 2025 and 98% in 2024, based on the presentation of BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group deputy commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero during the 6th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) general assembly and 12th Central CICAC meeting on August 6.
“On average, for every one container that comes in, one container should go out — regardless of whether that export is laden or empty — to prevent port congestion, but also because the regulation mandates the export of all containers after a fixed period,” Uvero said in a previous stakeholder consultation on port congestion.
“That 1:1 benchmark is the standard against which both terminals must be measured,” he added.
Based on BOC data, Uvero said Manila South Harbor is a net exporter of empties while MICT, which handles 60% of inbound containers in Manila, is a negative net exporter of empties.
Manila South Harbor exported 511,104 TEUs against 382,738 TEUs of imports in the first seven months of 2026, achieving a 134% export ratio.
Manila South Harbor port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), together with members of the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL), have been implementing since 2019 the empty loadout shipping alliance (ELSA), an initiative that allows partner shipping lines to share vessel resources and load their excess empty containers onto the earliest available partner vessels.
In comparison, MICT, operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), handled 986,837 TEUs of imports but only 720,261 TEUs of exports, resulting in a 73% release rate. The imbalance highlights MICT’s challenge in clearing empties despite being Manila’s largest terminal.
‘Modernized solution’
Uvero noted that utilization at MICT is again ranging in the 80% level, and with the “ber” months coming, there is a need for the “cooperation of every stakeholder as we continue identifying efforts to address this.”
He added they will continue dialogues with terminal operators, the ports authority, and shipping lines in “hopefully identifying a modernized solution” to address port congestion in the future.
“But admittedly… the port resource in Metro Manila is really finite. Sooner or later, everyone should be going to either Subic or Batangas,” Uvero said.
Manila South Harbor and MICT experienced critically high yard utilization — breaching 100% at points — earlier this year due to what industry stakeholders described as “a convergence of seasonal, operational, and logistical factors observed since mid-December of last year,” according to AISL. Conditions improved from March, but utilization climbed again in late April. At Manila South Harbor, however, overall yard utilization has since improved, ranging more than 60% in July and early August.
BOC is reviewing container monitoring systems and pushing measures such as mandatory transfer of overstaying containers to off-dock yards, strict five-day processing windows, and sweeper vessels for empty container evacuation. A joint administrative order to address port congestion and inefficient empty returns is targeted for approval this August.
READ: BOC orders strict monitoring of 90-day foreign container dwell time
Draft rules on empty container monitoring system up for review
ATI last May 26 reiterated its request for immediate withdrawal of import boxes–both dry and reefers–as Manila South Harbor.
MICT last May also urged shipping lines, customers, and consignees to expedite the withdrawal of laden containers as the terminal continued to experience higher-than-normal yard utilization due to longer container dwell times. It will implement temporary measures on shipping lines starting July 15 to stabilize service levels and ease pressure on operations amid elevated yard utilization.— Roumina Pablo
READ: PortCalls Special Report on Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 1) — When Sea and Air Feel the Squeeze
Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 2): Capacity Crunch at the Airport
