Port of Manila utilisation moves back on track

The port of Manila has seen utilisation rates return to normal following brief disruptions in operations during the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines last month.

Operations slowed at the Philippine port between January 15 and 19. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and the Manila South Harbor of Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) are continuing to improve to normal levels after being around 75-79% during the visit last month.

Utilisation in both ports stood at 76.5% or 62,300 teu as of February 20, 3.5% points lower than the 80% level target set by the Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion.

PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana said: “Government and private sector partnership is vital particularly as we gear towards green and sustainable port operations, as well as adopting best practices and norms of today towards a fully revolutionised port operation.”