With two Philippine shipping lines now allowed to sail beyond domestic waters to address vessel space shortage, stakeholders of the export sector are proposing long-term solutions to shield the industry from logistical disruptions.
The Export Development Council, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and the local shipping industry are pushing for the passage of the Philippine Ship Registry Act which would enable Philippine flag vessels to go international.
The groups are also calling for the removal of distinction between “coastwise license” and “international license” for Philippine-flagged ships.
They said securing government imports through free on board – where freight costs are separate from the cargo value of imports – will enable Philippine-flagged ships to participate in the carriage of government cargo.
The groups are also clamoring for the modification and amendment of Memorandum Circular No. OS-2019-02 of the Maritime Industry Authority to allow Philippine-registered vessels to concurrently be engaged in domestic and international trade.
Philexport announced over the weekend the first ever Philippine-flag container ship is set to embark on its maiden international voyage, carrying export containers to the United States.
Iris Logistics Inc., a subsidiary of logistics company Royal Cargo Inc. will hold a virtual maiden voyage ceremony on September 20 to launch its container ship M/V Iris Paoay as she sails to the US.
In a related development, Davao-based Reefer Express Line Filipinas Inc. also announced the start of a monthly service this month from Mindanao to the US to help manufacturers facing global shipping problems.
M/V Iris Paoay has a carrying capacity of 1,118 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers which is a big boost for the Bureau of Customs Port of Manila (POM) in processing goods coming from the US. Currently, bulk of goods that come in POM are from China and Asean.
Meanwhile, the Export Development Council said Reefer Express’ M/V Cool Spirit will ply the General Santos City-US route with its maiden voyage set to arrive at the Port of Philadelphia on September 30.
The vessel has a capacity of about 560 TEUs or 5,600 pallets position of 600 TEUs ondeck capacity.
Another vessel of Reefer Express which can carry 700 TEUs capacity will start sail to the US West Coast from Davao through Thailand on October 5.
