The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is no longer allowing the bagging and re-bagging of bulk cargoes on any part of the quay or apron. The move is designed to improve efficiency of cargo loading and unloading, resulting in faster vessel turnaround.
Under Operations Memorandum Circular (OMC) 03-2015, signed by PPA assistant general manager for operations Raul Santos, bagging and re-bagging will only be allowed when “done within the vessel’s productivity cycle as agreed upon and committed during the berthing meeting among the shipping company, the cargo handling operator (CHO), and cargo owner/consignee and the Authority,” and subject to several conditions. These conditions include:
- That no bagging and re-bagging operations remain within the berth length occupied by the subject vessel beyond the vessel’s productivity cycle;
- That the minimum productivity shall be 80 tons per ship-hour based on the following setup: two hatches of the bulk vessel are open; each hatch has a dedicated clamshell; each clamshell unloads into the bagging machine’s hopper (one clamshell per bagging machine); each bagging machine is connected to two conveyors; and each conveyor loads onto a truck;
- That the CHO complies with the committed bulk cargo productivty regardless of the bagging set-up; and
- That the cargo owner or consignee, in accordance with the CHO, will ensure a sufficient number of trucks and commit a turnaround time for trucks consistent with the vessel’s productivity cycle.
Moreover, the OMC said the port manager will designate other available areas of the port for bagging and re-bagging operations. “However, no part of the quay or apron may be used as stacking or storage area for bagged cargoes at any time and Automated Bagging Machines shall be removed from the quay before the vessel undocks from berth,” the memo added.
The port manager will establish operational guidelines and procedures at ports under the port mangement office’s jurisdiction for the implementation of OMC 03-2015 and may impose restrictions and penalties according to existing rules and regulations, or as may be approved by PPA management.
It must be noted that OMC 03-2015 was dated August 27, the same day domestic shipping lines had a meeting with PPA officials regarding berthing problems at two Iloilo ports due to the re-bagging operations being done by foreign vessels docked at the ports. – Roumina Pablo
READ: PH box liners threaten to drop calls to Iloilo over berthing woes
Image courtesy of worradmu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
