Improved Shipping
Connectivity for
In line with strategic objectives of the Ministry of
Communications, the Ports Department is encouraging shipping lines or principal
to base in Muara Port, towards realising the vision
of Muara Port to become the Hub Port for the
BIMP-EAGA area.
In its effort to improve shipping connectivity, the Ports
Department, Ministry of Communications has recorded another significant
testimonial on 26 July 2009 whereby a Main Shipping Liner called Mariana
Express Lines which is based in
Attended to witness this event was the Acting Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Yang Mulia
Awang Haji Mahmud bin Haji Mohd Daud,
and other senior officers from the ministry as well as agencies operating in Muara Port. The event started with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by tour
to the MV Mell Saraca.
Mr. Ang Kian
Guan, Director of Ports / APA Chairman lauded the service offered by Mariana
Express Lines as yet another milestone for the Ports Department in its effort
to improve shipping connectivity.
Mariana Express Lines will be using their fleets, namely MV Mell Saraca and MV Mell Saujana for the purpose of this
voyage to
The shipping routing schedules are Hong Kong – Kuching –– Bintulu – Muara – Kota Kinabalu – Cayagan de Oro – Cebu –
The Ports Department will continue its effort to attract and
encourage more shipping lines to make frequent calls at the
RP Promulgates Climate
Change Act of 2009
Republic of the
Climate Change Commission will draft the framework for the
government’s program and action plans related to climate change. An executive
director to be appointed by The President will head its technical staff. Three
commissioners will also be designated with the secretaries of agencies serving
as members of the advisory board. Representatives from the academe, business
sector, non-governmental organizations and the disaster risk reduction
community will also be seated in the advisory board.
Under RA 9729, the National Framework Strategy and Program
on Climate Change will be established and mainstreamed into
the government policy formulation from the national government down to the
local government units. In accomplishing the program, municipal and city
governments as well as barangays will be involved “in
prioritizing climate change issues and identifying and implementing best
practices and other solutions, and shall consider climate change adaptation as
one of their regular functions”.
For its part and quite early on, the Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA), in a memorandum issued by its General Manager on September 9,
2009, enjoined all Responsibility Center Heads to
undertake “greening” projects in compliance with PPA Memorandum Order No.
13-2009 on “Supplementary Guidelines on Waste Management and other
Environment-Friendly Practices in PPA”. In response, the Port District Office
of Southern Luzon, one of PPA’s five district offices, submitted its proposed
plans and programs towards the attainment of eco-friendly ports. It likewise
directed all port management offices under its jurisdiction to undertake in
their respective domains the applicable proposed projects, some of which are as
follows:
·
Establishment and Maintenance of Marine/Fish Feeding Station
– the objective of this project is to preserve and maintain the quality of
seawater surrounding the ports. It will involve the construction along the bay
of a floating fish feeding station accessible only by riding a small boat or “banca”. The level of healthiness of the surrounding waters
will be gauged by observing the number of fishes and other sea creatures that
will respond to the fish feeding program.
·
Conduct of Seminar/Workshop on Ecological Waste Management –
this project aims to empower people through education and proper awareness on
environment protection and proper waste management. The seminar/workshop is expected to guide the
participants in the effective and efficient implementation of measures
concerning waste segregation, maintenance of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF),
and composting.
·
Implementation of “Adopt a Tree” Program – this project is
anticipated to be launched in partnership with the local government offices,
private organizations and port users. This undertaking will necessarily commit
an interested person or entity to adopt a tree for a cost, aside from attending
to its planting. The cost to be incurred per tree will cover the total amount
spent for the palm tree, fabricated pot, painting materials and labor. For
posterity’s sake, the name of the adoptive person or entity will be painted on
the plant pot. Port workers or employees will take care of the adopted trees.
·
Promotion of Mangrove/Tree Planting Activities – this
activity is envisioned to encourage community participation and underscore the
importance of mangroves in the propagation and sustenance of marine life. It is
a common observation that adjoining areas of ports have been stripped of
mangrove covers which greatly affect the ecological balance. In close
coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
local government units (LGUs), and pertinent non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), areas will be identified for the planting of mangrove propagules and the conduct of the planting activity will be
properly scheduled.
The
JTA, aimed at institutionalizing an
According
to
He
stressed that this was critical "as a third of the world's trade and half
of its oil passed through the Straits". Minister Lim added that, "The
Co-operative Mechanism is timely to promote and facilitate international
cooperation in this important waterway and that the institutionalisation of the
During
the Forum, Minister Lim also presented letters of recognition to the heads of
delegations of
e-Port - a Click Away from Completion
The Port Authority of Thailand’s (PAT) aim of
becoming a full-fledged e-Port is moving closer as several key projects are
also near completion. Infrastructural development linking up the national
multimodal transportation system will soon start, bringing
PAT
plans to modernize its entire organization and create a full-fledged e-Port to
secure users’ confidence and operational flexibility. To help achieve this,
management systems and customer services will be upgraded by implementing
Economic Value Management (EVM), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). It will also install and integrate new IT
systems to improve management efficiency and enable data exchange.
Aiming
to increase capacity and maximize the efficiency of mechanical handling
equipment, Bangkok Port (BKP) installed a new Container Terminal Management
System (CTMS) in transit sheds, warehouses, empty
container yards and open yard for stuffing.
This has allowed various shipping services to be linked, namely Vessel
and Cargo Management System (VCMS), cargo/ warehousing
data, handling equipment, e-Gate, CCTV and e-Customs.
The
e-Port project will focus on establishing a learning organization (e–Learning)
involving all employee levels next year.
A
Completion
of the CTMS and VCMS projects in September and the
launching of e-Gate early next year will speed up port services and container
delivery. The entire organizational
system will also be re-structured under the e-Port project while regional ports
will be upgraded to comply with international standards, in line with
Multimodal Transport Boosts
Links
Responding
to the national logistics strategy to link distribution networks with
production centers and ports, PAT is to set up a Single Rail Transfer Operator
(SRTO) at Laem Chabang Port
(LCP), and promote a Modal Shift from road to freight trains. Multimodal transport, which includes coastal
feeder, will increase convenience and safety while ensuring transportation cost
savings and relieving traffic congestion.
Although
BKP is only allowed by government policy to handle 1.34 million TEUs,
operational efficiency still needs to be upgraded by meeting customers’ demand
to strengthen
Data Exchange Improves
Communications
e-Toll Collection System and
In line
with PAT’s policy to upgrade ports into world-class facilities equipped with
comprehensive IT systems, LCP has launched a pilot project to turn it into an
e-Port. By December 2009, an e-Toll
Collection System combined with RFID will be fully operational to enhance
admission fee collection efficiency.
The
LCP will
implement the following five (5) priority strategies to encourage its role as
·
Development and management of port infrastructures and
facilities, integrated logistics network development, and multimodal
transportation at the country’s strategic points
·
Development of waterway and rail transportation systems as
well as storage and distribution systems within LCP
·
Promotion of private sector participation in the development
and management of terminals and related activities, and ensure equitable,
transparent and efficient enforcement of contracts
·
Management of all assets to ensure balanced returns on
investments, taking into account development objectives
·
Installation of modern organizational systems, including
development of performance management system and implementation of a Port
Safety, Health, and Environment Management System
LCP will also
focus on improving logistics efficiency by promoting freight train services and
accelerating construction of the Rail
Transfer Terminal in 2010, which has a capacity of 1.5-2.0 million TEUs per
year.
To promote the coastal feeder
services, LCP will develop a 150-meter stretch in Basin 1 (situated between
Passenger Berth A1 and the Coastal and Multi-purpose Berth A0), along with 17.2 acres or
43 rai at the bottom of Basin 1. In 2010, a consultant will be hired to
prepare the construction design for Basin 3. Construction will start in 2013 and is
expected for completion and ready for launching by 2018 to accommodate
increased container volume.
Private Operators Support
e-Port
In
line with the e-Port project, private operators are urging PAT to expedite
efficient port services that integrate basic infrastructure, road, Rail Hub and
Truck Terminal to enhance the export trend in the future.
PAT is
aiming to upgrade its organization as an e-Port in response to becoming a World
Class Port. With this development, private operators and port users stand to
benefit from important comprehensive online links for import-export data with
Customs Department and other relevant agencies.
Furthermore,
to provide well-planned operational procedures and offer a more comprehensive
range of services by using advanced IT systems, PAT will take the capabilities
and competitiveness of an e-Port system to new heights as well as ensure
customer satisfaction through on-time and problem-free delivery.
Step Forward Projects for
Continued Economic Growth
The
Nonetheless,
container volume handled through LCP is expected to bounce back in the next few
years, particularly in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2010. Hence,
meeting the demands in economic growth will inevitably require port
infrastructure development and transportation system efficiency upgrading.
LCP’s
capabilities to ensure economic recovery will depend on port investments to
support the expansion of the Rail Hub or Rail Depot and the improvement of rail
operations and infrastructure to meet the growth in container traffic. The
modal imbalance at the moment is that railway transport carries only 0.2
million TEUs compared to 5 million TEUs that pass through LCP each year. Since the maximum capacity of the containerized
freight train is 0.8 million TEUs, professionally managing and operating this
transport link by LCP will redound to cost reduction measures as well as
significantly enhance the port’s competitiveness levels. Another contributing factor in increasing
port productivity is the reduction of waiting time of inbound trucks at the
gates as well as addressing port congestion problems.
In
addition,