Philippine shipping lines are batting for a uniform policy on tug assistance and rates for special services to prevent overcharging.
Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) member lines claimed members of United Harbor Pilots Association of the Philippines levy exorbitant and arbitrary rates, and these need to be rationalized.
“Our issue right now is assistance and other special services, in lieu of tug,” a source who requested not to be named told PortCalls, noting that PLSA members could benefit from the issuance of an executive order much like what was done when pilotage rates were rationalized under Executive Order 1088 issued in 1986.
“Tug assistance and special services have no documented policy so service providers charge shipping lines arbitrary and exorbitant fees,” the source claimed.
Rates for tug assistance and other special services vary from port to port and from vessel to vessel. They are also significantly higher than rates under EO 1088 which cover pilotage services rendered to foreign and coastwise vessels in all private or public Philippine ports.
EO 1088 charges coastwise vessels 100 to under 500 gross tons P41.70 per tonnage; 500 and under 600 gross tons, P55.60 per ton; 600 and under 1,100 gross tons, P69.60 per ton; 1,000 and under 3,000 gross tons, P139 per ton; and 3,000 as well as 5,000 gross tons and over, P300 per ton.
PLSA members include Negros Navigation, NMC Container Lines, Oceanic Shipping Lines, Lorenzo Shipping Corp, Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp (formerly Sulpicio), and Solid Shipping Lines.
Photo by jmmcdgll
