Empowered: Advisory board to regulate tariffs of shipping lines

Decision comes after shipping lines, terminal operators demanded excessive charges


Our Correspondent June 24, 2016
Decision comes after shipping lines, terminal operators demanded excessive charges. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and other stakeholders have empowered the Shipping Rates Advisory Board (SRAB) to regulate the tariffs of shipping lines and terminal operators.

The approval was given at a meeting held in the backdrop of excessive charges demanded by the shipping lines and terminal operators.

The chairman of PNSC along with director general of ports and shipping chaired the meeting. It was attended by the chairman of Pakistan Ship Agents Association, chairman of All Pakistan Shipping Association, general manager operations of Karachi Port Trust, members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of terminal operators.

“The mandate for the Shipping Rates Advisory Board is finalised...the meeting was briefed about the formation of SRAB, its revival and powers to regulate the excessive charges,” said a statement issued by PNSC.

“...all participants appreciated efforts of the PNSC chairman to raise the issue at the government level.” Participants of the meeting gave their views and suggestions to address the anomalies and regulate the cargo handlers.

“Detailed discussions were held on the excessive charges and demurrages...role of federal government to regulate the shipping lines, terminal operators and freight forwarders,” it said.

It was suggested that the terminal operators, representatives of off-dock terminals and director general of trade dispute resolution should be included in the advisory board, who along with representatives of the Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association would be invited to the next meeting.

The meeting participants underlined the need for coming up with a smooth process for the auction of empty containers. A mechanism will also be established to compensate the consignees if delay is caused by the customs department or terminal operators.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2016.

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