THE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) both expect an increase in rates imposed by shipping and port operators with the nearing implemen-tation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Evangeline Aquino, MARINA officer-in-charge for Overseas Shipping, said the need for additional security equipment will translate to greater costs for shipping operators that could, in turn, result in fare or freight rate increases. Eventually, costs will be shouldered by end-consumers, she added.
PPA assistant general manager Benjamin Cecilio said port operators will also incur added costs due to the requirement for additional equipment. “Additional port security equipment must be deployed immediately so the possibility of increased port charges is really unavoidable,” he said.
He said, however, that the PPA will see to it that the effects to end consumers are minimal. “We will not allow a significant rise in port charges,” Cecilio noted.
Earlier, the port agency has directed domestic shipping operators to install walk-through x-ray machines and metal detectors at terminal buildings to ensure security within the port. This kind of equipment costs from P3 million, depending on the brand and quality, Cecilio noted.
For ships, the ISPS Code requires port operators to have the automatic identification system that costs more than P500,000 and the Ship Security Alert System, which costs close to P500,000.
