PPA Regs on Compulsory Tug Assistance Nasipit

Applies to all foreign and domestic vessels with a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 1,000 and above.
Covered ports include the base port of Nasipit, Port of Masao, and Port of Butuan within the jurisdiction of PMO-Nasipit.

To protect government-owned port facilities.
To ensure the safe maneuvering of vessels during docking and undocking operations at the covered ports.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is tasked with providing tug assistance.
Authorizes shipping companies or private entities to provide tug services on a non-exclusive basis.

No tug assistance can be provided without an annual permit issued by the PPA.
Permit issuance subject to terms and conditions deemed proper by the PPA and compliance with other agency requirements.
Tug operators must supply necessary equipment to provide efficient service.
Tugboats towing only their own barges/lighters are exempt from permit requirements; otherwise, a permit is required.

Tug assistance is mandated according to vessel GRT and tug horsepower (HP) capacity as follows:
- 1,000 to 3,000 GRT: 300 HP tug or equivalent.
- 3,001 to 5,000 GRT: 500 HP tug or equivalent.
- 5,001 to 10,000 GRT: 700 HP tug or equivalent.
- 10,001 to 15,000 GRT: 1,000 HP tug or equivalent.
- 15,001 GRT and above: 1,500 HP tug or equivalent.
If tugboats are insufficient, a combination of motor launches with equivalent combined HP may be accepted.
Vessels equipped with both functional bow and stern side thrusters of sufficient capacity are exempt from tug requirements.
Vessels with only functional bow thrusters require tug assistance at 50% of the prescribed horsepower.
No vessel 1,000 GRT and above may dock or undock without complying with these tug assistance requirements.
Propelled vessels such as barges/lighters are not exempt and must maintain their own tugboats while at berth, per PPA Memorandum Circular No. 22-86.

The PPA sets fees and rates for tug assistance in consultation with port users, consistent with existing laws.
Absent established fees, rates are agreed upon between shipping companies and tug operators.
In case of disagreement, the PPA shall determine the appropriate rates.

Damages caused to port facilities during tug operations are the responsibility of the party or parties declared at fault.
Fault determination follows existing applicable laws.

If any provision of this order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not affect the validity of other provisions unrelated to the invalid parts.

Any prior PPA orders inconsistent with this order are repealed or amended accordingly.

This order takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.