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The Philippine Ports Authority approved a 20% hike in cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at North Port, effective January 1, 2026
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10 new tariff items and the increase in porterage rates, parking fees, and storage rates at the terminal were also approved
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For the cargo-handling tariff, the 20% increase will be implemented in two tranches, with the first tranche of 10% to take effect on January 1 and the second 10% on July 1, 2026
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PPA’s Commercial Services Department will issue a revised cargo-handling tariff schedule for North Port reflecting the new rates
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has approved a 20% hike in cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at North Port, the domestic terminal at Manila North Harbor, starting January 1, 2026.
PPA also approved 10 new tariff items and the increase in porterage rates, parking fees, and storage rates at the terminal. The new rates contained in PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 018-2025 were approved by the PPA Board through Board Resolution Nos. 3412 to 3417.
For the cargo-handling tariff, the 20% increase will be implemented in two tranches, with the first tranche of 10% to take effect on January 1, 2026 while the second 10% hike will be effective on July 1, 2026.
The approved rates were slightly lower than the 20.32% increase requested by North Port operator Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI).
READ: MNHPI proposes 20.32% hike in cargo-handling tariff, other rates
MNHPI’s proposed rate increase was based on the computation of the consumer price index (CPI) adjustment factor, which jumped 20.32% from 2020 to 2024, according to MNHPI legal cargo and claims head Mark Vincent Escalona during a public consultation on their petition last August.
Based on PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 02-2018, which prescribes a standard and uniform formula and procedures for cargo-handling tariff adjustment, the cargo-handling/terminal operator may apply for a cargo-handling tariff adjustment if the CPI has increased by at least 5% within a three-year period.
Escalona said the last cargo-handling tariff and passenger terminal fee adjustment for North Port took effect in 2022, while there has been no adjustment on porterage rates since 2010.
Based on MNHPI’s computation, the effects of the 20.32% tariff adjustment to basic commodities will be minimal. Escalona also cited various initiatives undertaken at North Port over the past years that warrant an adjustment in tariff.
READ: ICTSI acquires 2 new mobile harbor cranes for NorthPort
PPA also approved 10 new tariff items, less than the 13 items proposed by MNHPI, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
READ: MNHPI seeks higher storage, parking fees at NorthPort
Escalona earlier explained that the proposed new items were based on services rendered, which incur costs outside the coverage of regular cargo-handling services and/or scope of existing approved rates. The new items, by way of penalty, also aim to encourage compliance with safety best practices, as well as timely submission of critical documentation and arrival of cargoes, all “to ensure continuous and efficient port operations,” he added.
The 10 new tariff items are the following:
- Reefer charges – covers plug-in, plug-out and electrical power of reefer containers
- Administrative fee – for transactions related to gate pass cancellation, re-printing, replacement, system change and other similar requests
- Warehousing – a service rendered upon request, for storage of cargo in a warehouse, providing extra protection from weather and other external conditions
- Pier lighting (night operations) – a surcharge for lighting services at the terminal facility to facilitate safest vessel and cargo operations between 6:00p.m. to 6:00a.m.
- Equipment rental (on-board service) – a service rendered upon request, for the use of equipment to be placed on-board a vessel for operational needs beyond the standard handling procedure/activity
- Public holiday fee – a surcharge for terminal operations performed on official public holidays
- Container re-positioning – a service rendered upon request, for the movement of container/s or cargo between North Port and foreign ports in the Port of Manila, ensuring seamless flow between special gates
- Penalty for vessels without cell-guides – a penalty imposed on vessels without cell guides
- Penalty for late submission of documentation – a penalty imposed for failure to submit any of the required shipping and/or clearance documents within the specified timeframe
- Container late arrival penalty – a penalty imposed for arrival of container outside the designated cut-off, leading to scheduling inefficiencies and re-handling moves, rates range from P2,220.50 to P6,200.50
PPA’s Commercial Services Department will be issuing a revised cargo-handling tariff schedule for North Port, reflecting the approved rate increases and new tariff items. – Roumina Pablo
