MULTAN: Collection of unfair demurrage and detention charges from genuine importers by shipping companies including M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) is creating economic disorder in country. Shipping companies are portraying the negative image of ports and importers are compelled to pay additional charges of demurrage and detention on clearance of shipments. National Accountability Bureau and Chief Justice of Pakistan must take serious notice against said shipping company and terminal operator involved in looting of importers through collection of unjustified detention and demurrage charges.
It was stated by Advocate Shiekh Shoaib Amjad while talking to Customs Today. He said that corruption is a chronic economic and social disease in the country and national economy will not progress without its prevention. He said that shippers are upset about blackmailing of M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) for collection of demurrage and detention charges on each clearance. Said shipping company and terminal operator are creating serious obstacles for the importers on clearance of their legitimate shipments by charging them excessive demurrage and detention charges without any justification.
He said there is no check and balance on the shipping companies operating at ports and Ministry of Port and Shipping should regulate all shipping companies under their set laws. It is need of the hour to implement accountability laws on shipping companies to stop their exploitation for resolving issues of importers.
He believed that collection of unfair demurrage and detention charges from shipments always makes undesirable tension at port for the generation of profits. Shipping companies always took advantage of every opportunity to collect their demurrage and detention charges from importers through different tactics.
He stated that government is facing huge economic challenges in the country due to extensive money laundering, tax evasion in the country along with current account deficits and absence of foreign investment. Government should focus this sector for promotion of business activities and encourage importers by taking strict action law violating shipping companies in the countries and cancel operating license of violators to restore confidence of business community.
According to law, shipping lines are not allowed to collect any demurrage and detention amounts from the importer when the importer provides ‘delay and detention certificate’ under section 14 A of the Customs Act, 1969. But shipping companies are breaching set laws and procedure for the collection of illegal charges and blocked the shipments in case of refusal from importers which enhanced cost of business for the importers.
He appealed from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chief Justice of Pakistan to take firm action against M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and Qasim International Container terminal (QICT) for their shocking irregularities and recover all looted amount to provide relief to importers.
