KARACHI: Traders are suffering huge financial losses worth millions due to the mismanagement of Pakistan International Containers Terminal (PICT) and the shipping company M/s Sharaf Shipping Agency (PVT) Ltd.

According to the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA), traders are facing losses due to non-clearance of 73 import consignments, following the mismanagement of PICT and M/s Sharaf Shipping Agency (PVT) Ltd.

It said that as per Import General Manifest (IGM) 90/2021, the vessel Segara Mas V-2100W had to berth at PICT on February 24, 2021 however, the PICT turned the vessel towards South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) with the rationale of non-availability of space. As a result, 73 Goods Declarations (GDs) had already been filed by the traders and paid millions of rupees duties and taxes, accordingly. Upon berthing at SAPTm another IGM 101/2021 was lodged by the shipping agent that led to non-clearance of 73 consignments yet. Meanwhile, General Secretary Mehmood ul Hasan Awan said that the shipping company was well aware that 73 index of VIR 90/2021 has been claimed vide Goods Declaration filed by the traders & customs agents. In these circumstances, the shipping company should discharge containers of 73 claimed Index at PICT and all other consignments should be discharged at SAPT if it was necessary, he added. M/s Sharaf Shipping Agency in collaboration with PICT deliberately shifted the vessel to SAPT to get additional cost from the traders on account of demurrage and container detention charges, he alleged and added that the management of PICT kept consignments outside its bonded area, illegally and appeared reluctant to examine the consignments that provided serious financial shocks to the traders.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021