LGC Logistics has formally launched its first container yard/container freight station for Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) locators in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) areas.
Located in Carmelray Techno Park in Laguna, LGC Logistics offers complete logistics services, including stripping/deconsolidation, consolidation, delivery to end-user, inventory management system, and a domestic freight system.
In an interview at the sidelines of the launch, LGC chairman Alberto Lina told PortCalls the facility offers cargo clearance even on Saturdays and Sundays, reducing waiting time for shippers and translating to savings of 20% for them.
“In logistics, what is important is how fast you deliver the goods to the company. With the facility, we will be able to transfer under guard consolidation consigned to LGC from the port area to the facility two days earlier compared to the existing five days — or two days’ transit time and one-day cargo releasing,” Lina explained.
“It will also answer the clamor of shippers for lower logistics cost to cushion the effects of the strong appreciation of the Philippine peso,” he said further.
“Initially, the facility will cater to the needs of PEZA-registered companies in the Calabarzon area but will eventually be marketed to non-locators,” Lina said.
PEZA director general Lilia de Lima lauded the operation of the container depot, noting the facility addresses shipper requirements for cost reduction and timely delivery. It also complements PEZA projects such as the electronic import permit system.
“PEZA supports projects that will reduce cost and this facility… is one major step to reducing further the cost of doing business in the country,” De Lima said.
Located 59 kilometers (km) from the Manila International Container Port, 64 km from North Harbor and an average 15 km from neighboring ecozones, the container depot features a warehouse floor area occupying 6,000 square meters.
It has a dock leveler that provides easy access to palletized items with the use of forklifts or hand palletes adjustable to any height; a scissor lift that provides 100% zero-degree plane transfer of items from containers or trucks to the warehouse floor; a built-in ramp; and 24/7 security guards plus eight units of strategically located closed-circuit television surveillance cameras.
The facility also has a 500-square meter cold storage area.
