Foreign Shipping Lines are increasing container handling charges by 15 percent in Pakistan with effect from April.
Global transportation company, APL has notified stakeholders that its box handling charges per 20-foot-container has been raised to INR7,550 (US$150), an increase of INR1000. The new fee for a 40-foot-container will be INR11,350, up INR1,500, according to sources mentioned in a Daily Times from Lahore report.
An official of Karachi Port Terminal Operator said on the condition of anonymity that the shipping lines cannot increase the charges because only the relevant port authorities can raise the charges. "This is a condemnable step by the shipping lines," he said. "We are mulling over cutting down the handling charges in the backdrop of global slowdown."
Nasir Mehmood, Chairman, Sub-committee of Port and Shipping at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry was cited as saying that there are too many hurdles in the way of maritime shipping in Pakistan. He said that shipping agents issued a notification about this hike in container handling charges last week that has added the cost of doing business.
Mr. Nasir said, "A trader or consignee has to pay average INR20,000 to INR30,000 on 20 feet container (per TEU) just in the wake of these charges to the shipping company."
The report added that he has written a letter to the Chief Collector of Customs to highlight his opposition to the hike in container handling charges, to help ease the problems faced by exporters and importers in the nation.
Hong Kong Shipping Gazette
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