THE Philippine Chamber of Arrastre and Stevedoring Operators (PCASO) is proposing a revision of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) compendium on port operations, cargo handling rates and investment policies.
The chamber said the compendium is obsolete and needs to be made more responsive to current economic and operational realities.
“We are asking a review to also increase our involvement in port development and private sector participation,” PCASO chair Benjamim Akol said, adding he is optimistic PPA will see the merits of the chamber’s proposal.
PCASO would like the compendium to focus on the Road Ro-Ro Terminal System (RRTS), claiming majority of ports included in the RRTS requires cargo-handling intervention.
In theory, ro-ro ports do not need much intervention as cargo is merely “rolled on” and “rolled off” the vessel when in port. In practice though this is not the case, particularly in ports without proper ro-ro ramps.
PCASO said appropriate operating guidelines and a rate-setting mechanism for ro-ro ports that need cargo-handling intervention should be put in place to avoid conflicts with port users and operators.
The Philippine Liner Shipping Association also earlier asked for a review of the compendium, noting too its obsolete provisions.
