Maritime
ICTSI Subic supports SBMA’s
accreditation fee holiday for
new logistics firms
S
BITC lauded SBMA’s move allowing ship agents, freight
forwarders, brokerage firms and truckers an “open
window access for container port-related businesses” in
the Freeport.
From October 18 to December 31, SBMA waived the
US$200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business
entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for
renewal provided that these firms guarantee to bring
in at least one container within one month from filing of application or
renewal of SBMA’s accreditation certificate.
“We support and laud this SBMA initiative of waiving the Freeport’s
accreditation fee. Not only will this foster brisk business in Subic, it will
further position Subic as a key logistics hub in the country with new
logistics firms expected to hold their offices and operations in the
Freeport,” says Robert R. Locsin, SBITC general manager.
“We thank SBMA chairperson and administrator Atty. Wilma T. Eisma
for this accreditation fee holiday. On our end, we assure SBMA and the
Subic logistics firms—existing, new and upcoming—of ICTSI’s brand of
world-class operations and services at the New Container Terminals (NCT)
1 and 2, including our new container freight station (CFS) facility. You have
an international trading gateway that has access to global markets,” he
adds.
Atty. Eisma issued the waiver to showcase and broaden industry
awareness on the use of the Freeport’s container terminals, including the
terminals’ increase in container traffic and port utilization. The move is
also seen to support the Port of Manila by easing container flow and road
traffic in and around Manila’s port areas.
The accreditation fee holiday is also in line with Atty. Eisma’s 10-point
agenda that would further small and medium enterprises, including
supply chain businesses, in the Freeport, and as SBMA’s contribution in the
promotion of inclusive business.
“We are one with Atty. Eisma in the promotion of inclusive business
strategies in Subic. We need to provide added value to stakeholders
and businesses in the supply chain by assuring them that Subic is
the best place to do business: we have an efficient, world class port,
faster processing times with our one-stop-shop, a CFS inside the
terminal to assist a seamless supply chain, the latest in port technology,
and innovations in the nation´s port system. Our efforts will have a
direct impact on Subic, and even on the national economy: market
competitiveness and profitability for enterprises, more jobs and lower
costs of goods for the consumer,” says Locsin.
Recently, SBITC further improved local transshipment service in Subic
by introducing an innovation in the country’s port system. In partnership
with Cebu Sea Charterers, Inc. (CSC), SBITC launched a container barge
service connecting Subic to the ports of Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
The barge service is seen to revitalize inter-island trade, and to provide
businesses in the Visayas and Mindanao an alternative gateway for
international trade through Subic.
“This barge service will make trade more efficient, and opens more
opportunities for shippers located outside of Luzon to connect to more
global destinations and providers through Subic. We are made up
thousands of islands, of which only a few are accessible for the global
destinations. Imagine the export potential of our country if we are able to
maximize the vessel connectivity in SBITC, light vessel traffic in Subic, and
the berth flexibility of light craft transport in untapped islands,” says Locsin.
The weekly service, which utilizes a 150-TEU roll-on/roll-off land craft
transport vessel, makes direct calls from Subic to Cebu, and from Subic
to Cagayan de Oro, and vice versa. Cebu serves as a transshipment hub
for Bacolod, Iloilo, Samar, and Leyte, while Cagayan de Oro serves as the
gateway for Mindanao.
“We will be opening up new opportunities as we coordinate more with
regulators in these ports to ensure all cargo movements are above board
and can move efficiently and legally. Hopefully, the service will create
a new product to facilitate the growth of the rest of the country, and
connect them to the rest of the world,” he concludes.
www.ictsi.com
Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), a unit of International Container
Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) operating the container terminals of the Subic Bay
Freeport, supports the waiver of the US$200 accreditation fee by the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for new logistics firms that will transact and do business
at the Freeport.
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