-
North Harbor granted 10% rise in cargo-handling tariff, terminal charges
-
The increase will take effect on May 15
-
Port operator Manila North Harbour Port Inc. applied last year for a 15.33% hike in cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at the domestic terminal
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has approved a 10% increase in cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at the Manila North Harbor.
The adjustment will take effect starting May 15, 15 days after its publication on a newspaper of general circulation on April 30, according to PPA Memorandum Circular No. 03-2022 dated April 27.
Port operator Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI) last year applied for a 15.33% increase in cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at the domestic terminal, Manila North Harbor, also known as North Port.
READ: North Port operator eyes 15.33% hike in cargo handling tariff
The petition for tariff increase covers the years 2015 to 2020. MNHPI’s last cargo-handling tariff adjustment covered only until 2014. No adjustment requests were made from 2015 to 2020.
The port’s passenger terminal fee, which was set in 2014, has also not been adjusted since.
MNHPI’s petition was pursuant to PPA Administrative Order No. 02-2018, which prescribes a new standard and uniform formula and procedures for cargo-handling tariff adjustment.
Under AO 02-2018, which took effect in March 2018, the cargo-handling/terminal operator may apply for a cargo-handling tariff adjustment if the consumer price index (CPI) has increased by at least 5% within a three-year period.
During the July 2021 public hearing on the petition, MNHPI corporate affairs and claim head Mark Vincent Escalona said the port operator had complied with the AO 02-2018 requirements.
Stakeholders, however, opposed the petition and requested a postponement of the tariff increase, noting businesses are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PPA also approved recently an 8% increase in cargo-handling tariff at the Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal, and a 10% upward adjustment in cargo-handling tariff at Batangas Port Phases I and II. – Roumina Pablo
READ: 8% cargo-handling tariff hike for South Harbor, MICT and 10% for Batangas ok’d
