KARACHI: M/s Agar Textiles Private Limited has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) against demanding huge amount of demurrage, detention and container charges etc despite corona Virus and lockdown situation by shipping line and terminal operators namely Cosco Shipping Line Pakistan and South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) Karachi.
On 3 July 2020, counsel for the petitioner submitted that a consignment of viscose staple fiber was imported by the petitioner from Singapore vide goods declaration IGM NO KAPE-93-2020 and as per state policy due to corona virus worldwide and lockdown situation every person suffered a drastic drop in business activities and due to said situation, spinning unit of petitioner had stopped production and the petitioner could not take delivery of said lying on port.
After relaxation in lockdown situation and reopening of industrial units by the government, petitioner approached shipped line and terminal operator for waiver of demurrage and detention charges, however, the shipping line and terminal operators namely Cosco Shipping Line Pakistan and South Asia Pakistan Terminal Karachi refused the request of our said client and demanded huge amount of demurrage, detention and container charges etc.
He said that needless to mention that in order to facilitate importers and traders in difficult time various countries all over the world directed their shipping lines and terminal operators not to collect detention/ container charges on imported and exported cargo in respect of situation arising due to coronavirus.
Citing chairman FBR, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Ministry of Maritimes Affairs and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court that due to said situation, petitioner is not liable for the payment of above mentioned demurrage etc charges.
