PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Association of International Shipping Lines Inc. (AISL), and the World Shipping Council (WSC) held a dialogue conference Sept. 10 on the Draft 2026 Joint Administrative Order (JAO) to promote practical policies for Philippine trade.
AISL organized the event, bringing together senior BOC officials, Department of Finance representative Verlin Entena, WSC leaders, and executives from major shipping lines, including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE, Evergreen, PIL, RCL, FESCO, and Kanway Lines.
AISL President Patrick Ronas welcomed attendees, thanking government and industry partners for contributing operational expertise.
Customs Deputy Commissioner Agaton Teodoro Uvero updated participants on the Draft JAO and its regulatory next steps. Kenneth Chia, WSC managing director for Asia, provided an international perspective on global shipping frameworks. WSC represents 24 container lines operating roughly 90% of global liner services, transporting more than $4 trillion in goods annually.
During the session, AISL formally submitted a clause-by-clause position matrix to the BOC. The document consolidated priority concerns from AISL and WSC based on real-world port, vessel, and container operations.
Discussions focused on commercial shipping charges, regulatory reporting, empty-container returns, container deposits, security arrangements, timelines, cost allocation, and penalties. Industry representatives recommended clear requirements, confidentiality safeguards, and flexibility to accommodate varying routes, cost structures, and services.
AISL highlighted ongoing operational pressures caused by high yard utilization, slow import withdrawals, and limited empty-container acceptance. To help ease congestion, shipping lines deployed six sweeper vessels to remove empty containers from Manila and Subic, absorbing the associated shipping and trucking costs. AISL renewed its request for a moratorium on the 90-day container dwell-time rule while space constraints persist.
AISL and WSC stressed that the final JAO should recognize the responsibilities of all supply-chain participants while accounting for factors within each party's control.
AISL welcomed the BOC's openness to dialogue and pledged continued collaboration to support efficient customs administration and reliable maritime trade.