Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is batting for a road master plan rather than mandatory diversion of cargoes from Manila ports to alternative facilities.
At the sidelines of the 7th Philippine Ports and Shipping Conference last week, ICTSI vice president for Asia Christian Gonzalez said government’s plan to divert cargoes from congested Manila ports to underutilized Batangas and Subic ports could backfire.
“The move will make trade more costly. Believe me, it will make shipping more expensive,” Gonzalez, also general manager of Manila International Container Terminal, said.
“One way to keep costs down is to let the consumers decide. Instead of diverting traffic, the government should create a proper road master plan for cargo to ensure that all ports are functioning properly.”
ICTSI subsidiary Subic Bay International Terminal Corp operates the Subic Bay New Container Terminals I and II.
Earlier, Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said he was waiting for completion of a Japan International Cooperation Agency study before coming out with a policy on cargo diversion.
