The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is expanding berths 7 and 8 of the Cebu baseport to solve the problem of chronic congestion at the domestic section of the port.
CPA general manager Angelo Verdan, during the recent 2nd Visayas Shipping Conference 2018 organized by PortCalls and Asia Customs & Trade in Cebu City, said the ongoing expansion, which is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of this year, is costing the port authority P330 million.
The expansion will allow the use of quay cranes in domestic containerized cargo operations. Currently, local shipping lines still use their ships’ gears owing to lack of quay cranes on the domestic side of the baseport.
During the question-and-answer hour of the conference, Verdan admitted there’s “chaos” in domestic operations.
Philippine Liner Shipping Association executive director Petrona Gatdula confirmed the situation, adding that most local shipping lines have to queue before being able to dock, causing additional costs.
Gatdula noted that unlike foreign liners, domestic shipping lines call more frequently, and are currently designated to use berth 6 only.
She added that “about 80% of domestic shipping lines [are] based in Cebu so you could just imagine us being given only one berth.”
She continued that while they appreciated the expansion of berths 7 and 8, “it still would not be enough.”
Gatdula said they are hopeful that construction of the new container port in Consolacion, Cebu will push through. Verdan noted, however, that the new port, while it will have a wide yard, will have only two berths. And even if the new Cebu port becomes operational, the current baseport, he added, will still continue to accommodate vessels.
“There is another relief that might happen, depending on the government, whether they will allow another reclamation somewhere else.
There is an applicant that wants to reclaim 100 hectares of land south of the baseport,” Verdan noted. He did not give details.
Verdan said CPA has already asked domestic cargo-handling service providers to start upgrading as part of their requirements. “If they don’t, then we will have to bid out,” he said, noting that existing cargo handlers are currently on hold over capacity.
“We need more equipment that [is] more efficient. We are not as fast as we want to be because we are still using forklifts most of the time,” he added. – Roumina Pablo
