About 100 containers were shut out at the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) at Port Qasim on Friday as they could not be loaded on the Maersk Sealand's vessel, "m.v. Orange". This was stated by Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) Chairman Shabbir Ahmed on Monday. He said that due to the alleged mismanagement in the handling of containers at the QICT, the textile products worth million of dollars, urgently required for sale on the eve of Christmas in Europe, remained unshipped, causing colossal loss to the exporters.
He said that in the event of non-delivery of goods, the exporters would have to face claims from the buyers as well as cancellation of orders due to expired letters of credit (L/C).
The QICT management did not give any reason for the shutout, but it is assumed that renovation of the container yard at the terminal was the reason for delay in entry of the export containers in the loading premises.
The management, in a recent meeting with Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG), had said that it was importing more gantries and rubber tyred cranes (RTCs) to cope with the rush of cargo at the terminal.
Shabbir urged the Ministry of Commerce to initiate an inquiry into the causes of delay in shipments of exports from the QICT, which had become a regular feature.
He said the PBEA had recently drawn the attention of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Collectorate of Customs (Exports) towards long queues of cargo trucks, waiting for hours to get entry into the terminal, which had resulted in shutting out of precious export cargo.
He said that if the working at the terminals and ports was not streamlined to ensure timely delivery of exports, which would be hall mark of free trade competition, the country could not compete in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) free trade regime.