Twenty-three days before Christmas, the utilization rate at the Manila International Container Terminal is now high as cargoes continue to arrive, according to an official of the Philippine Ports Authority.

"We don't anticipate any port congestion, especially in MICT. We are closely monitoring the arrival and departure of vessels as well as the daily gate-in and gate-out of containers. The utilization now is high but still manageable. It is expected because of the Holiday Season," said Catherine Esto, acting port manager of Port Management Office-National Capital Region South.

At the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Thursday, PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said that utilization of the country's port yard is currently at 84.98 percent, adding that the country's ports have enough space for arriving shipments.

Ample space

"This means, we still have enough space, and backlog and congestion are not seen in our ports," she said in Filipino.

But she said this does not mean that there will be no delays in shipment during the peak season.

"We are expecting a bit of delay since we are also anticipating the influx of arrival of containers and cargoes, particularly coming from Los Angeles and China Port. But here in our country, we assure the public that no port congestion will happen," she added.