QuestionsQuestions (PPA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 03-95)
It cited PD 857 (as amended), specifically Sections 2(f) and 20, and also Memorandum Circular No. 121 issued by the Office of the President on 2 November 1990.
It covers vessels/cargoes calling or being discharged at government/private ports or anchorage areas within the Philippine Ports Authority’s jurisdiction pursuant to PD 857 as amended.
Dockage at berth is the amount assessed against a vessel engaged in international/foreign trade (including barter trade) for mooring or berthing at a pier/wharf/bulkhead/river/channel marginal wharf at a national port, including for making fast to a vessel already berthed.
Port dues are assessed for each entrance into and departure from a port of entry for vessels engaged in foreign trade, and for each call for purposes of assessment rules stated in the circular. The specific liability for dockage at berth/anchorage is stated as the owner, agent, operator, or master of the vessel; Port Dues follow the circular’s assessment rule that there is no maximum limit and payment is at the first port of call in the same harbor.
For Port Dues: charged only for one call and paid at the first port of call. For dockage/anchorage, the circular focuses on assessment conditions per berth/anchorage and call behavior; however, it explicitly provides the “one call” rule only for Port Dues within the same harbor.
It shall be charged dockage at anchorage or one-half (1/2) of the corresponding dockage at berth at a government port, subject to a maximum of 50,000 GRT.
A fraction of a day is counted as one (1) whole day in assessing dockage fees at berth or anchorage.
Time spent at anchorage while waiting for a dockside berth is not subject to dockage or usage fee at anchorage, provided no loading/unloading operations are undertaken while at anchorage. Waiting must be due to strikes, natural calamities, or pier congestion.
Pier congestion exists when there is no suitable/adequate dockside berth that can safely/effectively accommodate the vessel (considering draft and cargo handling needs), or when obstructions at the dockside berth prevent vessel operations.
For long and deep draft vessels, they are exempted from payment of dockage at anchorage during waiting time even if a berth is available but inadequate/not suitable to safely/effectively accommodate them, provided there is no loading/unloading during such waiting.
The vessel shall not enjoy the privilege of exemption from dockage at anchorage during the waiting period.
Dockage exemption from anchorage (for waiting) starts from the very first day when the vessel is at anchorage waiting for berth up to the time it is berthed. Dockage at berth/usage fee is reckoned from when the vessel is finally berthed up to when it leaves berth. Dockage at anchorage starts from when the vessel drops anchor up to when it lifts anchor.
It becomes subject to dockage at anchorage or usage fees while at anchor, in addition to dockage/usage fees while at berth (i.e., double period—still paying both components).
They are charged dockage at berth/anchorage equivalent to 50,000 GRT.
Vessels loading/discharging cargo or passengers; vessels at anchorage/berth for bunkering, provisions, repairs, or changing crew; private non-commercial watercrafts; vessels engaged in bay and river trade; and barges and lighters.
They are charged one-half (1/2) of the usage fee at a government port; similarly, registered bay and river trade vessels are also charged one-half (1/2) of the usage fee.
The Free Storage Period is inclusive of Sundays and holidays. For imported cargoes, the six (6) calendar days free storage period commences immediately after the day the last item of cargo is discharged from the carrying vessel.
Refund claims require a formal written request to the PMO and must be filed within three (3) months from the actual payment date. Failure to file within that period forfeits the right for refund from the date the Bill of Charge became due and payable. Also, deposit receipts not yet due are treated as advance, not actual payment.