Operational levels at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) have returned to normal levels after a squeeze in March and early April.

In a statement, terminal operator — International Container Terminal Services Inc., (ICTSI) — said overall terminal utilization at MICT is now under 67% and reefer utilization at under 65%, with cargo pullouts during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) peaking last week.

The pullouts last week, it noted, do not include numerous containers of unclaimed cargo, carefully transferred to other yards and facilitated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Moreover, it added that all incoming ships are now able to dock as scheduled, with no waiting time.

“Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our frontline employees and many port stakeholders, the terminal has been able to pull off this feat. Efforts should continue, however, to ensure that we have no repeat of the dangerously low level of pullouts we experienced at the end of March and in early April,” said Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI executive vice president.  

Significant amount of unclaimed cargo

He noted that statistics have proven that government implemented exemptions for cargo and penalties for overstayers worked and that these, along with the efforts of importers, have “avoided the unmanageable consequences” we would have had if we did not respond as we did.

 “With the continued ECQ, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must remember that there remains a significant amount of unclaimed cargo from well before March 2020, and we must ensure a free flow of cargo to facilitate the transport of critical food, medical supplies and basic necessities,” Gonzales added. 

The ICTSI official further explained that key to return to normalcy at the Manila ports were the collaboration and cooperation of government including the Inter-Agency Task Force, Department of Transportation especially the PPA, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance including the Bureau of Customs — as well as the immediate response of all other port stakeholders such as the shipping lines, consignees, truckers, brokers and forwarders.