Afzal Hussain, chief of freight committee of Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame), has demanded that Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) should increase its fleet to reduce dependency on foreign shipping lines who never miss any opportunity to increase freight, on one pretext or the other.
Speaking at a meeting of small and medium enterprises to discuss impact of GRI, he expressed concern over high charging GRI ranging from 100 dollars to 250 dollars per 20 feet container which comes to about 10 percent increase in freight which is unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.
He said: "It is almost 57 years, but unfortunately we have not gathered a fleet. We need high capacity vessels and the government should act fast and purchase vessels to ply on regular routes."
Zulfikar Thaver, convene of Unisame, said that all over the world the GRI is always decided by a body which comprises shipping lines, freight forwarders, clearing agents, exporters and government representatives who determine the GRI to be levied, if any, but unfortunately there is no such body in Pakistan.
He said that the body examines the need of freight increase and recommends only then the principals increase the freight. "It is never arbitrary, like in Pakistan."
The shipping lines are compelling exporters to pay GRI on the pretext of increase by heir principals who are forcing the agents sand tempting them to increase freight which goes in the pockets of the foreign lines and the agents here get more commission due to more freight, so in this manner the agents are also inclined to favour the principals.
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