KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) holds a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss port congestion charges recently levied by shipping lines and carriers.
According to the details, Tariq Haleem, the Chairman Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, arranged a well-represented meeting to resolve the issues of extra charge by some container lines of about US$150/- per 20ft box and about US$300/- per 40ft box.
The Collector Customs Preventive Saifuddin Junejo also attended the meeting beside representatives of trade and industry, importers, customs authorities, customs agents, KPT officials as well as shipping agents along with carrier’s representatives.
During the meeting, in-depth discussions was held between the participants and it was recommended that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is already working on rationalization of tariff and would involve the lines representatives to present their point of view before the KPT administration in connection with port charges.
Matter of long idling containers was thoroughly discussed whereby about 11,000 units are lying un-cleared at terminals therefore, the customs authorities would look into this matter and will be coming up with their concrete solutions to address and resolve the long outstanding matter.
The importers during the meeting complaint Collector Customs Preventive Saifuddin Junejo that the containers at the sea ports are not being cleared on time whereas the strict scrutiny by the Customs authorities also delaying the clearance of the containers.
Collector Customs Preventive Saifuddin Junejo assured importers as well as all the stakeholders for his full support to resolve the outstanding issues.
KPT and FPCCI ensured all the shipping agents and carriers that all the matters will be dealt in the best interest of all the stakeholders and requested all the shipping agents and carriers to convey the message to their respective Principals to defer the implementation of the Port congestion surcharge as it has become main point of dissent.
Also the congestion situation has been normalized and no congestion is currently witnessed at Karachi Port terminals, especially in view of operationalization of SAPTL deep draft terminal.
