Philippine port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) is bringing more competitiveness to South Luzon businesses by delivering integrated ports and logistics services through Batangas Port, two hours from the capital Manila.
At the recently concluded 7th Philippine Ports and Shipping Conference, ATI vice president for commercial operations Sean Perez said all infrastructure and systems are in place at Batangas Container Terminal (BCT) which importers and exporters can tap to their advantage.
Business locators in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) which now ship via Batangas Port get a big boost from government with discounts on port dues from the Philippine Ports Authority and incentives from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. The Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, provides fast response time and online transactions for the expedient processing and release of cargoes.
“ATI’s modern Batangas Port is delivering the same operational efficiencies and synergies as Manila South Harbor, making it a one-stop competitive hub for containerized and general cargoes, Ro-Ro and passengers benefiting South Luzon and nearby locations,” Perez said.
The stevedoring charge at Batangas is P3,564 for a 20-footer versus Manila’s P3,991.58 while the charge for a 40-footer is P4,985 against P5,583.58.
The arrastre charge is P3,078.95 and P7,064.20 for a 20-footer and 40-footer import container, respectively, compared to Manila’s P3,241 and P7,436.
For export containers, the charge is P2,513.7 for a 20-footer and P5,773.45 for a 40-footer vis-à-vis Manila’s P2,646 and P6,077, respectively.
Export-bound containerized cargoes are charged P2,513.70 (20-footer) and P5,773.45 (40-footer) compared to Manila’s P2,646 and P6,077, respectively.
Competitive trucking and logistics services are also available at BCT via third-party trucks and ATI’s Inland Clearance Depot-Laguna. Since BCT is located within five to 70 kilometers from Calabarzon industrial zones, optimal trucking cost can be realized as trucks can complete multiple trips 24/7, especially since there is no truck ban in Batangas. Deliveries from port-to-factories are made more convenient as BCT is directly linked to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR toll way) and the South Luzon expressway.
BCT is regularly serviced by MCC Transport which directly connects Batangas to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. More shipping lines are keen at calling the port as volumes increase alongside the growing economy.
BCT has an annual throughput capacity of 300,000 TEUs. The 12-hectare facility is supported by two quayside cranes, four rubber-tired gantries, trucks and loaders, with provision for 480 TEUs of reefer cargoes.
Image courtesy of Asian Terminals, Inc
