Philippines Shippers' Bureau

Background

Principal Functions

• To promote and protect the common interests of Philippine exporters, importers, and other commercial users of water transport;
• To consult/negotiate with cartelized, as well as individual lines on proposed general and specific freight charges, provision and maintenance of adequate, reliable and economic shipping services and revision of inequitable shipping contracts;
• To serve as a clearing house of information on shipping services and other matters of interest to Philippine shippers;
• To bring to the attention of the government the laws, policies, rules and regulations which hamper the development of Philippine trade and commerce, especially those which may delay or obstruct the speedy, economical and efficient carriage of goods and recommend and work for appropriate legislation and adoption of remedial measures;
• To maintain and develop close relations with shippers' councils and relevant organizations in Asia and other countries for the attainment of the objectives of the Bureau;
• To serve as the central implementing authority for the use of Philippine flag vessels in the country's foreign trade, as prescribed by Presidential Decree 1466.

Services/Activities

• Undertakes research and analysis of projected increases in freight rates and various surcharges and other shipping terms and conditions;
• Computes freight costs of exporters' shipments to specific port destinations, as well as price quotations of their exports to prospective buyers;
• Educates shippers' in the proper and economical stuffing, packing and packaging of export cargoes;
• Secures adequate shipping services for the carriage of Philippine flag vessels, pursuant to PD 1466;
• Conducts seminars/workshops on how to save on shipping costs in the transport of shippers' cargoes;
• Provides systematic vessel chartering services or charter vessels for the benefit of the Philippine shippers'.