Member lines of the Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) are asking the North Harbor operator to streamline cargo weighing fee collection procedures.
“What we want is for Manila North Harbour Port, Inc (MNHPI) to collect the weighing fees themselves instead of collecting everything from shipping lines,” a liner executive told PortCalls.
PLSA members take on additional cost because they shoulder the weighing fee which oftentimes is not reimbursed by cargo owners.
The carriers have called a special principals’ meeting to discuss the issue.
“Due to the volume of cargoes coming out of the North Harbor, the cost impact of such to shipping lines is staggering,” the source explained.
From January to November 2011, the port handled 701,241 twenty-foot equivalent units.
Based on the PLSA proposal, MNHPI will collect the weighing fee directly from cargo owners or any of their representatives prior to cargo entry at the pier. The receipt of payment will be presented to carriers before cargo is loaded onto the vessel.
MNHPI has six cargo weighing scales — two stationary and four portable — in use at the port.
Last year, the Philippine Ports Authority temporarily suspended mandatory weighing of outbound containers due to delays caused on shipping line operations.
The current weight limit is 13.5 ton per axle set by the Department of Public Works and Highways in compliance with provisions of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.
