In International Shipping News 03/04/2017
The collector of Customs preventive division has warned shipping lines to stop collecting port congestion surcharge on containers or face legal action.
Addressing a meeting of stakeholders of the ports and shipping sector on Saturday, Dr Saifuddin Junejo said the preventive collectorate was the licensing authority of shipping lines and could take legal action if the surcharge was not withdrawn.
He gave three days to shipping line agents, who were also present on the occasion, to consult their companies. He also directed them not to collect the surcharge until a decision has been made.
The collector said shipping lines could not impose the surcharge unilaterally, especially when an understanding was reached in a March 24 meeting that they would delay the imposition of the surcharge for 15 days.
More importantly, there should be no question of a surcharge as there was no congestion at the port at the moment, he said.
Shipping lines are reportedly collecting $300 for a 40-foot container and $150 for a 20-foot container as port congestion surcharge.
Tariq Haleem, chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s standing committee on ports and shipping, said the congestion surcharge has increased the cost of doing business.
Meanwhile, Karachi Customs Agents Association President Khurram Ijaz drew participants’ attention towards abandoned or unclaimed containers lying for months at terminals.
The number of such containers was around 11,000 and they should be cleared as soon as possible to avoid congestion, he said.
Source: Dawn
