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ICTSI Manila starts container booking system to ease truck congestion

THE Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) has initiated truck appointments called Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), reports the American Journal of Transportation.

TABS is an electronic platform for booking containers in the two international ports of Manila run by the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI).

Designed to optimise the entry and exit of containerised cargo to and from MICT, TABS was developed in response to restrictive road policies that were introduced to combat the congestion of Manila ports in 2014 as a result of the truck ban imposed by the Manila City Government.

"It is the port sector's contribution to easing road congestion by implementing a system that will schedule movements of trucks in and out of the port,?said MICT general manager Mohamed Ghandar.

"Movement of trade in the Port of Manila, specifically that of container-handling trucks, has to co-exist with the movement of the commuting public,?he said.

TABS will address the current unpredictable surge of trucks that ply the roads by scheduling the time slots for container pickup and drop-offs.

Truckers can increase their trips per day, cargo owners can move their goods more promptly, and terminals can allocate resources more efficiently due to the predictable volume and schedule, said the ICTSI statement.

With the system in place, the Manila port community should expect more organised truck movement and experience a managed and consistent flow of trucks spread across the entire day.

TABS is scheduled for officially launch in October 2015. The soft launch comes ahead of the expected surge in economic productivity in Manila in September as shipments increase in preparation for the holiday season.

The system was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the supply chain stakeholders, the Manila City Government and Australia's 1-Stop Connections Pty Ltd.