KARACHI: Ship agents came out with hard-hitting response to Karachi Port Trust Chairman’s announcement to go tough against shipping companies allegedly looting local business community by overcharging.

In statement, Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association (PSAA) not only rejected KPT Chief’s instructions about shipping charges but also refused to accept it as regulator of shipping industry. “KPT is landlord Port, not regulator, therefore shipping lines/agents are not bound to report to KPT or subject to being regulated by KPT,” PSAA stressed.

Telations of shipping companies with KPT got bitter when business community complained about overcharging and KPT Chairman Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi said authority will go very tough against highhandedness of shipping companies.

According to press release issued by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zaidi said shipping companies will be held accountable for allegedly looting business community by overcharging under various heads without any justification.

“Shipping companies need to submit details of their registration, licence, relevant laws or any agreements within 10 days which authorised them to take excessively high charges,” said Zaidi.

However, PSAA said shipping lines/agents operating in Pakistan are duly licenced by Pakistan Customs and charge their customers as per their respective tariffs which are easily available online.

“Any outward remittance from Pakistan is checked and authorised by State Bank of Pakistan, hence it is appropriate regulator in this regard, not KPT,” said statement issued by PSAA.

Increase was as high as six times as normal charges. Despite normalisation, shipping companies are still charging high tariffs which hurt exports from countries like Pakistan.

“Pakistan’s trade is wholly dependent on foreign shipping lines hence kind of allegations and irresponsible”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 22 2024

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