KARACHI: The Karachi Port Trust is already working on rationalization of tariff and then will invite the lines representatives to present their point of view to the KPT administration in connection with the port charges, said Tariq Haleem, Chairman, FPCCI Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping.
Tariq Haleem, Chairman, FPCCI Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, arranged a well-represented meeting of the stakeholders of trade and industry viz importers, customs authorities, customs agents, KPT, shipping agents and carrier’s representatives at the FPCCI Head Office Karachi which was presided over by Zubair Tufail, President, FPCCI. Saifuddin Junejo, Collector Customs Preventive, was also present.
The participants, inter alia, discussed port congestion charges, recently levied by the shipping lines/carriers.
After in-depth discussions, the recommendations were made that 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/resolve the long outstanding matter.
KPT and FPCCI firmly believe and ensure all the shipping agents and carriers that all the above matters will be dealt in the best interest of all the stakeholders and requested all the shipping agents/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. Moreover, FPCCI being the apex body has assured the shipping agents of its full support and cooperation at all times.
