Question & AnswerQ&A (PPA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 05-95)
The order covers all domestic cargoes loaded or discharged to or from RO-RO vessels at all ports with existing cargo handling contracts under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Ports Authority.
RO-RO transport is a marine transport mode where cargo units are loaded and unloaded by horizontal movement using ramps, with units moved on their own wheels or a temporary mobile system.
A RO-RO vessel is one that allows horizontal transfer of cargo via ship or shore-based ramps through the side, bow, or stern of the ship.
The 'No Work, No Pay' principle applies, meaning no cargo handling interplay and all charges accrue to the Authority unless port management is contracted to a port operator.
They include RO-RO Self-Propelled (vehicles driven on own power), CHA-RO (chassis or trailers towed/wheeled), STO-RO (unitized cargo loaded/unloaded by forklift), and Others (conventional cargo requiring rehandling).
The Cargo Handling (CH) Contractor is responsible from receipt of cargo and directing to the marshalling area until cargo is loaded onto the vessel or received by the cargo owner during unloading.
The shipping line or vessel owner may contract with the cargo handling contractor to provide a shore-based ramp with mutually agreeable rates, with PPA as final arbiter in disputes.
The ceiling rate for handling fees for private vehicles is set at P12.00 per vehicle.
In routes served only by RO-RO vessels, handling fees for both loading and unloading are doubled and collected at loading ports, with the option for shipping operators to collect and remit fees promptly with proper receipts.
PPA intends to gradually phase out cargo handling operator interaction for self-propelled RO-RO, eventually taking over the operations or contracting it out with retention of 10% of collections by contractors.