PPA imposes cargo handling restrictions at North Harbor

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has imposed cargo handling restrictions at the Manila North Habor in an attempt to avert the collapse of the older berths at the country's largest domestic port.

Investment in the terminal's upgrading has been on hold in the face of opposition from port users to the PPA's policy of allowing one operator at the facility. Port users say such a policy would promote a monopoly in port services.

To prevent a collapse of the bulk and container stacking areas, PPA issued a memorandum order, asking domestic lines to double stack instead of stacking three-high beyond the working apron. It also seeks to further limit stacks at the finger piers to one box only.

The North Harbor was built in the 1940s for general and bulk cargo, and its only repair has been on the asphalting of pavement, which did not improve the structural condition of the berths. Some parts of the port area have been weakened since several years ago by heavy cargoes from roro vessels using the port.

The PPA had wanted to limit the stacking of containers in the absence of funds for rehabilitation, but the lack of storage space has prevented this policy from being implemented.

Domestic lines have complained that there has not been enough time to find alternative areas within or outside the port where they could stack boxes.

However, North Harbor manager Aristedes Alcalde had given the affected operators ample time to scout for container yards. Berths are now being run on a common-user basis to maximize space, a policy that Alcalde says has worked even in peak time for bulk and container handling.

PPA has also stopped renewal of all lease contracts and begun to take over operations last month.

Alcalde said the current load limitation rules would go on indefinitely until the PPA finds the new investor to privatize and rehabilitate the North Harbor. It is now in the process of drafting the terms of reference for the bidding following Malacañang's decision to farm it out to two operators.