The Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG) has said that some shipping companies operating at Port Qasim were not shifting containers to the off-dock terminals under the pretext that the Collectorate of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim is not allowing shifting of the containers.
KCAG General Secretary Tariq Siddiqui said on Tuesday that some shipping lines such as Universal Shipping, James Finlay, S.R. Pacific Lines are not shifting containers discharged at the Port Qasim to the off-dock terminals - Al Hamd and Pak Shaheen - despite the fact the bill of lading is marked for the discharge at the Karachi Port.
He said the shipping companies were giving a false impression to the importers and the customs agents that the Port Qasim Collectorate was not allowing shifting.
He categorically refuted the allegation, saying the Collectorate was trying its level best to accommodate each and every request made by the shipping lines to shift containers to the off-dock terminals.
Only containers, which are destined for dry ports are not being allowed shifting in terms of para 105 of Customs General Order (CGO) No 12/2002.
The KCAG, in its meeting, strongly condemned the role of shipping lines, and requested all ship agents not to violate rules regarding shifting of cargo.