MULTAN: Collection of exorbitant demurrage and detention charges from genuine importers by M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pacific International Lines (PIL) and its agents in Pakistan, M/s Pacific Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd is breaching laws and creating economic disorder in the country. National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should take rigorous action against said shipping companies to resolve complaints of importers.
This was stated by Advocate Saqib Naeem Chaudhry while talking to Customs Today about multi-billion corruption of shipping companies with collection of illegal demurrage and detention charges.
He said that business situation of country is worsening with every passing day due to massive corruption and harassment by M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pacific International Lines (PIL) and its agents in Pakistan, M/s Pacific Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd. Said shipping companies are projecting negative image of Pakistan due to their frauds in the business world and they are also responsible for distracting foreign investments in the country because they create adverse impact on long-term investment in the country.
He expressed that blackmailing of M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pacific International Lines (PIL) and its agents in Pakistan, M/s Pacific Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd for charging illegal demurrage and detention charges should be stopped and their license for operations must be cancelled for violation of SRO 1220(I)/ 2015 in order to protect the genuine importers.
He said that shipping companies are shaping impediments for clearance of genuine shipments at the port due to close connection with Customs and they are extorting importers for generation of their kickbacks by collecting illegal demurrage and detention charges.
The corruption of shipping companies M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pacific International Lines (PIL) and its agents in Pakistan, M/s Pacific Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd is transformed into an alarming situation for importers across the country. He said that genuine importers are facing harassment at large scale for clearance of their shipments which compelled them to pay additional demurrage and detention charges; otherwise they face unnecessary delay in the clearance of their shipments.
It is really unfortunate that said shipping companies and terminal operators are openly violating set procedures and laws by collecting excess demurrage and detention charges because according to rule they are not allowed to collect any sort of demurrage and detention charges from the importer when the importer provides ‘delay and detention certificate’ under section 14 A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to rules 603 (Q), 603 (R), 604 (Q) and 607 (E), others of SRO 1220 (I)/2015, Shipping companies cannot charge any demurrage and detention where it is specifically written on the bill of lading
He demanded of the National Accountability Bureau to take iron handed action against M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pacific International Lines (PIL) and its agents in Pakistan, M/s Pacific Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd for protecting importers.
