PPA ADRMINISTRATIVE ORDER No.

13-77
The Revised Charter of the Philippines Port Authority
The following port rules and regulations are hereby prescribed for the guidance and/or compliance by all
port users and others concerned in all ports/port districts, port facilities, or any other places or premises
under the jurisdiction of the authority.
a. Ad Valorem Rate means rate based upon the value of the goods.
b. Anchorage means a place with sufficient depth of water where vessels anchor or may ride at
anchor within the harbor.
c. Approaches means the water area at the port entrance via which vessels navigate to make for
the sheltered or protected water areas in the port.
d. Apron means the area between the transit shed and quaywall.
e. Authority means the Philippine Ports Authority created by P.D. 505 dated July 11, 1974, as
amended by substitution by P.D. 857 dated December 23, 1975.
f. Bad Order Container means container that is physically damaged which may allow exposure of
cargoes to adverse conditions, natural elements and pilferages.
g. Berth means part of the pier/wharf that is occupied by a vessel, or a place where a vessel mat tie
up.
h. Berthing means the maneuvering of a vessel from the anchorage or pilot station to a berth,
including the action to make fast the vessel alongside.
i. Bill of Lading means the written contract of carriage of goods whereby the common carrier for
a consideration agrees to deliver on behalf of the consignor of goods to the consignee at a
specified time.
j. Bollard means a strong post on a ship or dock for holding a hawser fast.
k. Bow means the extreme forward end of a vessel.
l. Bullion means ingot of gold or silver regarded as raw materials.
m. Buoy means floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel, anchor, shoal, rock, etc.
n. Channel means a natural or artificial waterway of perceptible extend which either periodically or
continuously contains moving water of which forms a connecting link between two bodies of water, or
part of a body of water deep enough to be used for navigation through the area otherwise too low for
navigation.
o. Chassis means an equipment used to carry containers from one place to another under the tow by
prime movers or tractors as an extension of ships gear unless declared as an importation.
p. Container means a structure so design to hold and keep articles, materials and products together
inside a hold in the form of boxes, tanks, or the dike, for singular or unit handling and transport,
generally, having an internal volume or capacity of not less than one (1) cubic meter. Containers
are further defined according to their uses as dry cargo, refrigerated, liquid bulk, platform, open
top, solid bulk, ventilated, etc.
q. Container Berth means berthing space especially designed and constructed to accommodate
containerships.
r. Containerized/Container Cargoes means cargoes packed in containers for easy handling or
transporting of the same as a unit.
s. Container Equipment Receipt means shipping receipt issued by container operators, agent, or
shipping companies relative to bringing in and taking out of containers in the Port/Customs Zone.
This document (IN/OUT) shows, among others, the inspections conducted on the container at the
time of receipt and of delivery.
t. Container Freight Station means normally a warehouse or a transit shed adjacent to the
Container Yard (CY) used for sorting and storage of container cargo both for import and export.
u. Containership means a cargo vessel designed and constructed ordinarily to carry containers.
v . Container Tally Sheet means cargo receipt issued by the ships checker or agent and
acknowledged by the arrastres checker as evidence or receipt of containers. It indicates, among others,
the physical condition of the container.
w. Container Terminal means a port facility designed to provide an integrated use of berthing
facilities for containerships and harbor transport system for containers and their contents.
Container Yard means a designated area in a Container Terminal usually adjacent to the
Marshalling Yard (MY) where containers and chassis are received, stacked and dispatched.
x. Container Tower means a signal station generally located at place which commands a full view of
the Container Terminal. It supervises by signals, telephones or other means of communicating the
movements, stacking and handling of containers in the terminal.
y. Conventional Ship means a cargo vessel designed and constructed primarily to carry break-bulk
and limited quantity.
z. Deck means a platform or roof over which a section of a ships folds, serving as a floor.

aa. Dock includes looks, cuts, entrances, graving docks, inclined planes, slipways, quays, and other
works and things appertaining to any dock.
bb. Dolphin means a buoy or spar used in mooring a boat.
cc. Draft means the depth/level of the vessel below the water line, measured vertically from this
water line to the lowest part of the hull.
dd. Drydock means a dock from which the water can be temporarily excluded, in order to effect
repairs to hulls and keels of ships or vessels.
ee. Dues included harbor fees, tonnage and wharfage dues, berthing charges, and port dues and any
other dues or fees imposed by virtue of existing law or Decree 857.
ff. Dunnage means loose packing of any bulky material put around cargo for protection.
gg. Excreta means waste matter excreted from the body, as sweat or urine or feces.
hh. Fairway means part of a waterway kept open and unobstructed for navigation.
ii. ii. Fender means a pad or cushion of rope, wood, etc. hung over a ships side to protect it in
docking.
jj. jj. Filth means a foul dirt or disgusting matter.
kk. kk. Full Container Load means a container loaded with cargoes belonging to a single consignee
and/or covered by only one Bill of Lading.
ll. ll. Funnel means a cylindrical chimney or smoke stack.
mm. mm. Gang means the number of workers employed to work.
nn. nn. Goods includes animals, carcasses, baggage, and any movable property of any kind.
oo. oo. Grit means rough, hard particles of sand, stone, etc.
pp. pp. Harbor means a protected part of a sea, lake or other body of water used by vessels as a
place of safety.
qq. qq. Hatch means an opening in ships deck through which cargo can be lowered.
rr. Lash Barge means a barge of lighter which for all intents and purpose, is an extension of the
ships equipment or gears and used purely in such ships cargo operations.
ss. Lash Ship means a vessel designed and constructed to carry lash barges as containers of
cargoes.
tt. Latrine means a toilet, or privy for the use of many people.
uu. Length Over All means the length of a vessel between extreme end of the bow and the extreme
end of the stern.
vv. Less Container Load means a container loaded with cargoes belonging to more than one
consignee and/or covered by more than one bills of lading.
ww. Lift-Off Containership/Non-Sustaining means a containership especially designed and
constructed to carry but not provided with ships gears to handle them.
xx. Lift-On Containership/Self-Sustaining means a containership especially designed and
constructed to carry containers. It is provided with gears like ships deck crane and the like and is
capable of loading and discharging containers by itself.
yy. Marshalling Yard a place where containers are stacked and arranged according to the sequence
of withdrawal to consignee or transferred to CY-CFS or CY inside Port/Customs Zone. It is also
where containers are arranged prior to loading to a carrying vessel in accordance with the
sequence of loading on the storage plan.
zz. Moor - means to secure a vessel alongside the berth by means of mooring ropes.

i. Nuisance per accidents means a nuisance under certain circumstances like a factory emitting
smoke in a residential district.
ii. Packing or Stuffing means loading of cargoes inside a container.
iii. Pier means any structure built into the sea but not parallel to the coast line and includes any
stage, stair, landing place, landing stage, jetty, floating barge or pontoon, and any bridge or other
works connected therewith.
iv. Port means a place where ships may anchor or tie up for the purpose of shelter, repair, loading
or discharge of cargo, or for other such activities connected with water-borne commerce, and
including all the land and water areas and the structures, equipment and facilities related to these
functions.
v. Port District means the territorial jurisdiction under the control, supervision or ownership of the
authority over an era (land of sea), declared as such in accordance with Section 5 of P.D. 857
including but not limited to any Port within said District.
vi. Rates - means any rates or charges including any toll or rent under existing law or imposed by the
Authority by virtue of P.D. 857 for facilities used or services rendered.
vii. Refuse means anything thrown away or rejected as worthless, waste, trash.
viii. Rigging means the fitting of a ships sails or shrouds to the mast of yard.
ix. Roll-On/Roll-Off Containerships means containership especially designed and constructed to
carry containers and chassis and allows loading and unloading of containers on chassis or trailers
by providing a ramp over the side, at the bow or at the stern of the ship.
x. Rubbish means also water, trash.
xi. Semi-Containership/Combo Ship means cargo vessels designed and constructed to carry at least
fifty percent (50%) of its load in containers.
xii. Rates - means any rates or charges including any toll or rent under existing law or imposed by the
Authority by virtue of P.D. 857 for facilities used or services rendered.
xiii. Refuse means anything thrown away or rejected as worthless, waste, trash.
xiv. Rigging means the fitting of a ships sails or shrouds to the mast of yard.
xv. Roll-On/Roll-Off Containerships means containership especially designed and constructed to
carry containers and chassis and allows loading and unloading of containers on chassis or trailers
by providing a ramp over the side, at the bow or at the stern of the ship.
xvi. Rubbish means also water, trash.
xvii. Semi-Containership/Combo Ship means cargo vessels designed and constructed to carry at least
fifty percent (50%) of its load in containers.
xviii. Shippers Load and Count means a container packed with cargo by one shipper where the
quantity, description and conditions of the cargo is the sole responsibility of the shipper.
xix. Ship Stores includes ship gears, equipment, parts or its properties not being goods or
merchandise.
xx. Soot means black substance consisting chiefly of carbon particles formed by the incomplete
combustion of burning matter.
xxi. Stern means the extreme aft end of a vessel.
xxii. Stripping means unloading goods from a container.
xxiii. Stuffing means loading goods into a container.
xxiv. Terminal Facility includes the seaport and its facilities of wharves, piers, slips, docks, dry
docks, bulkheads, basins, warehouses, cold storage, and loading or unloading equipment.
xxv. Transit Shed means a building or shed which is situated at or near a quay, wharf or pier, and is
used for the temporary or short-term storage of goods in transit, or to be shipped or discharges
from a vessel.
xxvi. Trimming means the placing of sails or balancing of a ship by shifting cargo, etc.
xxvii. Unfit for Use Container means refrigerated container or reefer container whose cooling
machinery is not functioning normally. Dry cargo containers intended for packing is declared
unfit for use if the standards of cleanliness and/or sanitation are not satisfied. It shall be certified
by competent authority or any agency duly licensed or authorized to clean, fumigate and sanitize.
xxviii. Unpacking or Stripping means removing or unloading of cargoes from a container.
xxix. Vermin means any troublesome, fishy or destructive animals.
xxx. Vessel includes any ship or boat, or any description of a vessel or boat, or any artificial
contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
xxxi. Warehouse means a building or shed used for the storage of cargo.
xxxii. Wharf means a continuous structure built parallel to along the margin of the sea or alongside
riverbanks, canals, or waterways where vessels may lie alongside to receive or discharge cargo,
embark or disembark passengers, or lie at rest.
xxxiii. Winchman means one who operates a lifting machinery or device on the deck of a ship to hoist
or lower cargo.




















Port Services
Arrastre Services

Arrastre means all works performed on dock that is the process or act of receiving and loading
cargos from and to ships tackle, providing mechanical equipment for receiving, stowing,
transporting, shifting, sorting and piling of cargoes, checking, tallying and marking of these
cargoes and securing them for pilferage or losses while under custody on dock.
Arrastre is a Spanish word which refers to hauling of cargo, comprehends the handling of cargo
on the wharf or between the establishment of the consignee or shipper and the ships tackle.
Longshoremen usually perform the service.
Long- Shoremen is a person responsible for loading and unloading ships as they dock to unload
their cargo.


The Cargo Handling Activities:
Receive and load cargoes from / to ships tackle with the use of dock (arrastre) gang and cargo
handling gears and equipment.
Checking cargo by marks and quantity, acknowledge and sign tally sheets.
Sort and initially pile cargo in the sheds or open storage or warehouse located inside the port prior
to delivery or loading to vessel, if not taken from or delivered on direct to truck.
Check and recoup bad order and damaged cargoes if damaged is caused by the cargo handling
operator.
Deliver or transfer cargo onto or receive from trucks tail of consignee or shippers transportation
or ships tackle.
Secure cargo from pilferage and losses while under cargo handling operators custody.
Provide checking services only when cargo is unloaded or loaded at shipside, to and from barges
alongside vessels.

Arrastre Operator is not a common carrier.
Arrastre Operator Services are clearly not maritime because as to nature of the functions and the
place of their performance(upon wharves and piers shipside)

Liability of an Arrastre Operator:
Being the custodian of the goods discharged from a vessel, an arrastre operators duty is to take
good care of the goods and to turn them over to the party entitled to their person.
Liable for the loss of the shipment while in its custody.


Stevedoring Services

Refers to all services performed on board vessel that is the process of loading and unloading
cargo, stowing inside hatches, compartments and on deck or open cargo spaces on board vessels.
Stevedore is a firm or individual engaged in the loading or unloading of vessel


Stevedoring Services:
Rigging/unrigging of ships gears
Opening and closing of hatches
Snatching, centering to hatch openings, passing of cargo and trimming
Provision of standard stevedoring gears and equipment as required by the cargo type

Extra service chargeable under extra labor services:
Cleaning holds
Shifting of cargoes
Dunnage provision
Building bulkheads
Shoring/ un-shoring of cargoes
Lashing/unlashing of cargoes
Breaking of hardened cargoes
Re-bagging and sweeping of cargoes
Stuffing or un=stuffing of containers on board vessel
Recouping of bad order Cargo

Based on Section 45, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods; stated that:

A. The Authority shall not be responsible as stevedores regardless of the source of labor supply for
any stevedoring operations which shall be carried on under supervision of an officer of the vessel
concerned who shall bear the responsibility for the rigging, unrigging, trimming and safe working
of the cargo gear of said vessel and for consequences arising there from.
B. Neither shall the Authority be responsible for the winch man or crane man that is supplied by the
authority upon request while working on board the vessel for they shall be deemed to be an
employee of the master of the vessel.

Stevedore and Arrastre Contacts
(Sec 66, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

A. No business corporation or firm shall perform work as a stevedore or arrastre contractor within
the premises of the authority unless in possession of a permit/license duly issued by, or provided
with management contract or agreement entered into before with the bureau of customs.
B. The authority may, instead of providing its own labor, authorize by contract, permit or
arrangement, a contractor to provide stevedoring and or arrastre services and the liabilities,
obligations and responsibilities of such contractor or grantee shall be stipulated in said contract,
permit or arrangement.


Philippine Ports Authority General Guide on Arrastre and Stevedoring Operation:


A. Vessel to be ready for work in Dispatch

After mooring or berthing alongside a pier or wharf, every vessel shall have all its
working hatches ready to commence working cargo. ( Sec 44, Article V- Loading,
Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

Adequate lights shall be provided in parts of a vessel where work is going on alongside
any pier or wharf operated and or managed by PPA or Cargo Handling( Sec 44, Article
V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

Every vessel shall discharge or load its cargo with reasonable dispatch and where it
occupies a berth that is required shortly by another vessel, the former vessel shall be
worked continuously including night and over time hours, as may be required by the
PPA( Sec 51, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

If a vessel fails or is unable to undertake such dispatch or work such night and overtime
hours as required by PPA, said vessel maybe ordered by the PPA to vacate the berth it
occupies and the master shall forthwith comply with the order. ( Sec 51, Article V-
Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

A vessel that is required to vacate a berth will be re-berthed at a place solely at the
discretion of the PPA( Sec 51, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and
Transportation of goods)

The PPA or Cargo handling Operator shall not be responsible for the detention or delay
of any vessel nor the delay in the discharging or loading or its cargo due to any cause
beyond its control and in any case shall not be responsible for loss of dispatch earnings or
payment of vessel demurrage charges under any charter party agreement between the
shipper and the vessel owner, operator or representative agent( Sec 51, Article V-
Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

All expenses incurred by the vessel in complying with any of the PPAs order shall be
borne by said vessel. ( Sec 51, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and
Transportation of goods)

The Master or agent of any vessel shall present to the PPA and the Cargo Handling
Operator any book or document which may be required in connection with landing,
shipping or delivery of each cargo and or embarkation or disembarkation of its passenger
or crew. ( Sec 52, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

B. List of Inward Cargo Manifest
(Sec 48, Article V- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

The Master or agent of every incoming vessel, domestic or foreign, shall sign and
furnish the PPA and the Cargo Handling Operator at the Port concerned preferably
twenty four(24) hours but not less than eight(8) hours before the arrival of the vessel,
one(1) copy of Inward Cargo Manifest in English language containing all particulars as
to:
a. The gross weight, measurement, marks, numbers, and contents of each package or
consignment, including the origin of the cargo
b. The names of consignees per bill of lading or the names of the persons actually
paying the freight and their respective addresses.

The PPA may refuse berth allocation to a vessel due to failure to comply with the above
requirements.

A certified statement of any amendment or alteration if authorized by applicable law and
regulations, made in the ICM by reason of the re-measurement or re-counting or re-
description of the break bulk goods included therein or otherwise, shall also be furnished
to the PPA immediately after completion of discharge of the cargo or goods.

Any amendment or alteration to the original inward foreign manifest of containerized
liner shall be submitted within twenty-four (24) hours from arrival of the vessel.

C. Receipt of Cargo

The Master or agent of every outgoing vessel, domestic or foreign shall prepare in the
English language, sign and submit within twelve to twenty-four(12-24) hours before the
departure of the vessels, an accurate copy of the Outward Cargo Manifest of all goods on
said vessel containing all particulars as to:
a. Gross weight, measurement, marks, numbers and contents of each package or
consignment, including the final destination thereof.
b. The Names of the shippers and their addresses per bill of lading. (Section 50, Article
V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

Any receipt issued by the cargo handling operator for any cargo received or entrusted in
its custody shall indicate as far as practicable, the actual contents and weight thereof on
the basis of the covering documents furnished by the shipper, consignee, or owner of the
cargo. ( Sec 53, Article V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

No cargo shall be shipped by the cargo handling operator unless a clean receipt and or
bill of lading which shall be delivered before the vessel leaves its berth, is submitted by
the ship or its agent. (Sec 78, Article V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation
of goods)

D. Shipside and Direct Deliveries

The Master or agent of a vessel shall submit to the PPA list of all inward and outward
deliveries shipside (over-side) and all direct delivery shipments to and from the wharf or
pier in such details and at such times as the PPA may require. (Sec 64, Article V-- Loading,
Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

Domestic cargo shall be released by the PPA and/or cargo handling Operator from its
transit sheds or warehouses only upon presentation of the corresponding bills of lading or
delivery orders duly endorsed by the agents of the carrying vessel and after the payment of
lawful charges collectible there from. ( Sec 68, Article V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and
Transportation of goods)

Import and export cargoes shall be released, transferred or loaded on board the vessel only
after payment of lawful revenues collectible by the Bureau of Customs and upon
presentation of required release, transfer and loading orders or documents and also after
payment of charges or fees collectible by the PPA. (Sec 68, Article V-- Loading,
Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

The PPA and/or Cargo handling Operator shall release or cause to release of cargo by marks
and shall not sort or cause its sorting by number and sub-marks except upon the request and
at the expense of the vessel or cargo owner or consignee. . ( Sec 68, Article V-- Loading,
Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

E. Detailed Checking of Cargo

Ship Responsible for Sorting
The cargo handling operator shall not be responsible for wrong delivery of cargo in its
custody consisting of goods which are not sufficiently described and legibly marked and
which caused difficulty identifying the same for delivery to consignee. ( Sec 55, Article V--
Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

F. Broken Goods
(Sec 19, Article V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

Goods which are broken or damaged shall be removed from the PPAs premises at least
within fourteen (14) days from the date of landing and after due notice to their owners or
consignees and if the same is not removed, it may be disposed of by the PPA solely if
domestic cargo and in coordination with the BOC, if import or export Cargo. The PPA shall
not be liable for any claim therefore. The owners of the broken cargo shall be liable to pay
the PPA for the expenses incurred in disposing such broken cargo.

G. Animals or Livestock Cargoes
(Sec 77, Article V-- Loading, Unloading, Storing and Transportation of goods)

No animals shall be landed or brought into the port or premises of the PPA, except for direct
delivery or shipment and the owner shall be entirely responsible for the animals and their
actions. If any stray animal is found within the PPAs premises, the same may be dealt with
at the discretion of the PPA.