RAJKOT: Acting on a specific tip-off, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Jamnagar unit, seized two imported tugs from Pipavav port and recovered Rs 7.60 crore customs duty.
According to DRI officials, tug ‘Pacific Buccaneer’ was towing the crane barge ‘GMS Sharqi’ from Shanghai to Abu Dhabi. The tow, however, parted due to rough weather and got grounded off the coast of Chhara village near Mul Dwarka port and its tow parted. All attempts to reconnect the tow were futile due to rough weather condition.
Pacific Buccaneer was chartered to carry out the salvage of the grounded barge. The salvage operation was given to Singapore-based Swire Salvage Pte Ltd. The tug was chartered by Swire Salvage and offered the same to Abu Dhabhi-based Gulf Marine Services, Mussafah Base for salvage operation ‘GMS Sharqui 5603’. Since it was not possible to carry out the operation by a single tug, another tug ‘Coral Sea Fos’ was imported from Dubai for assisting in operation.
After salvage, Pacific Bucaneer sailed from Chhara-Muldwarka with GMS Sharqi 5603 with ‘Coral Sea Fos’ as an escort tug and arrived Pipavav Port for repairs.
“JM Baxi and Co. were appointed as agents and failed to file import general manifest (IGM) and bill of entry at Muldwarka customs department for import of tugs Pacific Bucaneer and Coral Sea Fos from foreign run to coastal trade. They only submitted an intimation letter to the superintendent of customs, Muldwarka regarding intimation and permission for re-float operation GMS Sharqi 5603 and evaded customs duty of Rs 7.60 crore,” DRI officials said.
Moreover, the Muldwarka port is not notified for import of tugs.
“The importer has shown willingness in writing to DRI to deposit the full duty on both the imported tugs,” said an official.
