Export containers miss vessel due to slow movement

24 Jan, 2004

A number of export containers missed the vessel twice at Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) on Wednesday and Friday last due to slow movement of export cargo inside the gates.
Mohammad Aijaz, export manager of an exporting firm said on Friday that Wednesday was the last loading day for the vessel m.v. Maersk Avon. The export containers could not enter the terminal because of slow intake of cargo alleged to be due to a faulty crane. The rush of cargo at the QICT gate increased due to a single gate used both for import and exports, he added.
The manager said that due to the slow cargo movement it took his containers about six hours to enter the terminal and by the time the vessel had sailed.
He said that earlier an export consignment of his firm missed the vessel m.v. Safemarine Prime at QICT.
The cargo could not reach the terminal in time because the Port Qasim gate was closed for security tightened due to the visit of Port Qasim by a US delegation.
He said that he had submitted two containers for shipment to Europe by the same vessel ahead of the last loading day on Friday.
However, he failed to push the third container due to the closure for shipment and consequently his incomplete consignment was shut out by the QICT staff.
The QICT staff was not available to make a comment but a spokesman of the Traffic Department of Port Qasim said that the port gates were not closed on last Friday.
He however, admitted that security was refurbished on the day due to a US port security team's visit.
He made it clear that there was no question of closing the port's entry gate at any point of time.
The traffic department spokesman blamed the exporters for bringing cargo at the eleventh hour before the sailing of the vessel. He refused to accept the labourers' and other problems responsible sometime for the delay of cargo.

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