Following unnecessary delay in grounding containers at Karachi International Containers Terminal (KICT), over 800 containers have stuck at port, leaving the traders in severe financial crunch. According to sources, although the Web Based One Custom (WeBOC) system after its introduction has failed to yield the desired fruits, the authority is going to extend its operation to AFU from February 15 (Today).
They said the traders were encountering unnecessary delay in grounding containers at KICT from October, 2012 but no heed was being paid to resolve the issue. At present, the KICT is taking 24 hours in grounding containers, however the same is being done within two to four hours at other terminals. Consequently, mishandling of goods especially at the time of re-stuffing was being reported, the sources maintained. They further said that most of the time the system intimated that the container was grounded whereas actually it has not been so.
When contacted, the representatives of Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) said that the association had been discussing the issue with all relevant quarters for last the five months but no positive response had so far been witnessed in this regard. Yahya Mohammad, General Secretary KCAA said KICT would face severe port congestion in coming days, due to slow consignment processing and delay in grounding of containers.
He said the association through a letter to chairman FBR and member custom had cautioned of port congestion because of delay in grounding of containers at KICT and improper working of risk management system of WeBOC. He said that if no measures were taken in this connection, there would be no space at port in coming days for handling new vessels. Yahya further said that over 800 containers were presently waiting for clearance at KICT.
To a question, he said the terminal operator should make arrangements for 24x7 working at terminals and expedite its examination process to dispose the backlog of 800 containers. Moreover, he said, the customs agents were being forced to pay heavy demurrages and detention charges, due to aforesaid issue. He also requested the authority concerned to intervene into the matter to facilitate the business fraternity at maximum.