PPA orders Asian Terminals to turn away trucks heading for South Harbor

Trailer trucks on the north bound lane of Roxas Boulevard in Manila caused a gridlock after the Philippine Ports Aushority suspendend the port operations at South Harbor due to bad weather on Friday, August 9, 2019. Danny Pata

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has order Asian Terminals Inc. to turn away delivery trucks and container vans from the Manila South Harbor even if their Terminal Appointment Booking System or TABS have been confirmed for Friday afternoon. 

The Ports Authority has suspended TABS at the Manila South Harbor as inclement weather brought by Typhoon Hanna has enhanced monsoon rains.

“Suspendido muna ang lahat nang transaksyon sa ilalim ng TABS sa araw na ito hanggang bukas upang mabigyan ng sapat na oras na maiproseso ang mga transaksyon na naapektuhan ng work slowdown sa South Harbor dahil sa masamang panahon,” PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said.

Asian Terminals, the private operator of Manila South Harbor, was instructed to call those that have bookings for Friday afternoon to turn around already “until ports are able to accommodate those that are already in the area.”

In a separate statement, ATI said the Manila South Harbor has experienced intermittent operational disruptions since late Thursday night, including the access of trucks into the port terminal.

Port operations at the Manila South Harbor have been on a “stop-go” basis since late Thursday afternoon due to severe winds.

Wind speeds of 16 meters per second drive the port cranes to full stop, the PPA said.

With intermittent wind speed patterns, uncertainty in operations translate to a “stop-go” situation or a full suspension at the discretion of operators, it said.

ATI noted that “this is a necessary safety precaution, especially during inclement weather. At any given time, the lives and safety of our stakeholders is the topmost priority.”

To cope with the truck build-up, ATI said it has mobilized all available spaces within the expanded port zone, in coordination with the PPA, to accommodate inbound trucks and ease the traffic buildup.

“Bookings into the terminal through TABS have temporarily been suspended to allow us to immediately serve the existing backlog and to avoid additional queues,” ATI said.

“We also advise our other trucking partners who have already pre-booked not to proceed to the terminal anymore until the situation has normalized. A customer circular and electronic messages have been issued to our customers as guidance,” the company said.

“The terminal is doing its best to revert to normal operations, as soon as possible, weather permitting,” ATI said.

Port operations in Southern Luzon such as in Batangas, Romblon, Lucena remain suspended with all trips canceled and the vessel grounded. —VDS, GMA News