Title
Establishment and operation of Dangerous Cargo Area
Law
Ppa Memorandum Circular No. 02-2005
Decision Date
Jan 12, 2005
The Philippine Ports Authority mandates the establishment and operation of a Dangerous Cargo Area at South Harbor to ensure the safe handling, transport, and storage of hazardous materials in compliance with international standards and safety regulations.
A

Scope

  • Applies to all dangerous cargoes loaded or unloaded at South Harbor

Objectives

  • Ensure safe handling, transport, and storage of dangerous cargoes
  • Effective supervision and monitoring of dangerous cargoes movement
  • Compliance with international standards

Definitions

  • "Authority": Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
  • "International Maritime Organization (IMO)": UN agency for maritime safety
  • "IMDG Code": International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code by IMO
  • "Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI)": Cargo handling contractor of South Harbor
  • "DCA": Dangerous Cargo Area
  • "Dangerous Cargoes": Includes items listed in the IMDG Code, PPA and other government lists/manuals, foreign manifests, or any cargo declared or suspected to have hazardous properties
  • Definitions for FCL (Full Container Load), LCL (Less Container Load), TEU (Twenty Equivalent Unit), CFS (Container Freight Station)

Responsibility of Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI)

  • Develop and operate a DCA conforming with international standards
  • Govern the DCA according to relevant PPA Administrative Orders and safety regulations
  • Ensure all dangerous cargoes have required government permits (e.g., PNP, DENR, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute)
  • Formulate emergency and contingency plans
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel
  • Assign only competent and trained personnel to handle dangerous cargoes
  • Conduct continuous training on dangerous cargo handling and storage
  • Observe and enforce segregation requirements for cargoes

Safety Requirements

  • Warehouse must have:
    • Separate drainage system with shut-off valves for contaminated water
    • Proper ventilation
    • Fire-resisting walls and explosive-proof lighting
    • Safety signs and markings required for segregation
    • Firefighting equipment compliant with PPA orders
    • Aisles at least 3 meters wide, clearly marked
    • Safe stacking and segregation of dangerous cargos
  • Container yard must have:
    • Adequate space for segregation of incompatible dangerous cargoes
    • Safety signs and proper markings
    • Safe stacking and IMDG Code segregation rules
    • Adequate emergency access
    • Drainage system with shut-offs to prevent environmental contamination
  • Provision of a special covered area for repacking damaged cargo and storing contaminated wastes

Procedures

  • Dangerous Cargo Handling Permit must be secured by shippers, exporters, or agents before cargo arrival
  • Import/export permits required from relevant agencies for explosives, radioactive materials, Ozone Depleting Substances, and other regulated chemicals
  • Dangerous Cargo manifests for inward and outward cargoes must be submitted 24 hours before arrival/delivery to ATI Safety Officer
  • ATI Safety Officer reviews manifests for cargo classification and proper segregation
  • Imported dangerous cargo discharged from vessels shall be directly transferred to DCA unless direct truck delivery is required
  • Export dangerous cargo directly received at DCA unless yard operation dictates otherwise
  • Identification and classification discrepancies to be referred to Manager, PMO-South Harbor for resolution
  • LCL dangerous cargoes to be stripped or stuffed at DCA warehouse as applicable

Arbitration

  • Discrepancies in declaration, identification, or classification of dangerous cargoes to be referred to Manager, PMO-South Harbor for proper resolution

Exclusions

  • Categories 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 explosives and radioactive substances not allowed to be stored within port zones; must be delivered directly to consignee’s external storage
  • Classes 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 explosives may be stored in limited quantity with round-the-clock monitoring, subject to approval
  • If not feasible, such cargo may be transferred outside the port to CY-CFS upon recommendation and Customs approval

Special Charges

  • ATI collects charges for dangerous cargoes stored/transferred at DCA:
    • P2,690 per TEU for containerized cargo
    • P184 per revenue ton for non-palletized LCL
    • P141 per revenue ton for palletized LCL
  • Charges in addition to premium charges under PPA Admin Order No. 02-89

Storage Guidelines

  • Regular free storage periods for import/export cargoes apply to dangerous cargoes as well

Monitoring and Inventory

  • ATI must submit monthly reports to the Authority detailing dangerous cargo volumes in TEUs for FCL and tonnage for LCL

Repealing Clause

  • All previous PPA rules inconsistent with this Order are modified, repealed, or amended accordingly

Penalty Clause

  • Violations subject to penalties under Section 43 of PD 857 and other applicable laws

Effectivity

  • The Order takes effect one month after publication in newspapers of general circulation

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