INTERNATIONAL shipping lines will likely continue to have a free hand when it comes to rate setting even after some functions of the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) are transferred to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
Marina administrator Ma Elena Bautista yesterday admitted Marina is not empowered to regulate charges – warranted or not – billed by shipping lines.
“The President already has the draft executive order (EO) transferring (the PSB’s) accreditation functions over freight forwarders and oversight functions over international shipping lines (to the Marina),” Bautista said in a roundtable discussion with the maritime press.
PSB currently supervises and oversees international shipping lines through their ship agents, representatives and local branches.
“However, (the EO) is taking time due to the strong clamor of carriers to delete any provision hampering the free rate-setting mechanisms of shipping lines,” Bautista added.
“The transfer should have been completed a long time ago if not for the said issue.”
Under the proposed EO, only the freight component charged by international lines within local ports may likely be monitored by Marina.
