By HENRY EMPEÑO

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Shippers and other port users will get a bonus here at the Port of Subic just in time for peak holiday transhipment with the open-window access initiative of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) that has set aside the $200 accreditation fee until the end of the year.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that the Subic agency will waive the accreditation charge for any port user that would guarantee to bring in at least one container within one month from filing of application or renewal of accreditation certificate.

However, SBMA’s offer will be effective until December 31, 2017 only, Eisma added.

The SBMA launched its #GoSubicBay open-window access initiative for container port-related businesses last Wednesday during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Exposition at the Manila Hotel.

Eisma said the scheme aims to promote Subic as a major transhipment center in the country, to showcase and broaden industry awareness of the container terminal at the Port of Subic, as well as increase container port traffic and utilization rate.

The port marketing program would also help decongest the Port of Manila and accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in pursuance of the agency’s commitment to promote inclusive business (IB), Eisma added.

The Subic official also pointed out that port users would benefit from Subic’s lower tariff rates, faster turnaround time, absence of red tape, reduced processing time, absence of congestion and traffic and truck ban, and easy docking.

According to SBMA Seaport Promotions Manager Ronnie Yambao, the SBMA will waive the $200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.

The port marketing promotion covers ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services related to container movement, he said.

Yambao stressed, however, that failure by applicants to guarantee the entry of at least one container would cause the Port of Subic to require the payment of the $200 accreditation fee.

Yambao also assured port users of the quality of service at the Port of Subic, pointing out that container port here is managed by the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC).

The SBITC, he added, is an affiliate of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), which is acknowledged as one of the best port management firms in the world.

Top photo: The bulk carrier Nor Maru leaves the Port of Subic after delivering cargo