INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI) and Asian Terminals, Inc (ATI) have agreed to host additional scanners to be installed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Customs X-ray division chief Atty Lourdes Mangaoang said ATI will allot space for at least three scanners before yearend and ICTSI for at least 10 x-ray scanners within the first quarter of 2011.
The additional equipment are part of the BOC's efforts to boost revenue collection.
"It is logical for us to increase the x-rays in Manila as 90% of containers that enter the country are handled by POM (Port of Manila operated by ATI) and MICP (Manila International Container Port operated by ICTSI)," Mangaoang explained.
"The BOC will pull out equipment from ports that have low volume such as those from Batangas Port" which currently has two mobile machines and one semi-fixed x-ray.
BOC has a total of 30 x-ray machines installed in key ports. Five are at the POM although only four are in use. MICP also has five but only two are online due to lack of space.
ICTSI is expanding its port and constructing Berth 6, where the additional x-ray machines will be stationed. Berth 6 will open in the first quarter of next year.
BOC scans 80% of all international containers passing through the system, way above the 8% to 10% rate in Hong Kong and Singapore, and 40% in Indonesia.
Since 2007, port users have been calling for a reduction in the ratio of containers scanned since this sometimes leads to delays, thus higher cost.
BOC charges $5 for every incoming 20-footer and $10 for every 40-footer, scanned or not.
