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Delay
in containers clearance annoys traders
By: Waqar
Hamza
KARACHI - The traders have shown serious concerns
over the long delays in the clearance of containers at Qasim
International Container Terminal (QICT), PICT and KICT, saying that
problems at terminals are worsening day-by-day as thousands of
containers are stucked up, causing severe problems for trade and
industry.
It was told that such delays in clearance are affecting the Industry
and creating shortage in the supply of raw material, resultantly
raising the cost of doing business.
QICT is bound to ground the containers after getting intimation for
examination, however, it takes at least seven to ten (7-10) days to
ground a container, but no one is taking note on this annoying
situation, being faced by traders and businessmen. The container
dwell times are well above international norms and procedures remain
complex, which need improvements for smooth handling of operations
for achieving acceptable levels of productivity on custom clearance
system.
It was recommended that no further ship should be berthed at QICT
that is already over burdened to avoid damages, demurrages and
container terminal charges for traders. The same, but not with that
intensity, is the case with Pakistan International Container
Terminal (PICT) and Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT).
In this regard, a meeting was held at KCCI the other day in which
such issues related to Customs & Shipping issues was discussed,
where Nisar Muhammad, Collector Care, Pakistan Customs was invited
as a Chief Guest. Capt Zafar Iqbal Awan, CEO PICT & Capt Rashid
Jamil, COO-KICT & Junaid Zameer representing QICT joined as guests.
They were told of late grounding and late examinations which are
inflicting the traders by way of increasing their costs. Moreover
when PACCS was being rolled out to the trade it was the prime
objective that it would speed up the system of Customs whereby both
import and export trade would get benefited and will flourish.
This news was published in print paper. To access the
complete
paper of this day
The Nation:June
13, 2009 |
