No congestion at port: KPT

Pakistan main sea port – Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has categorically stated that there is no cargo congestion at port and there is no justification to impose surges. The port authority has taken this note following apprehension shown by Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA) and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industries intimated that Shipping Lines have planned to impose Port Congestion Surcharge on import consignments arriving at Karachi Port’s private terminals (KICT & PICT).

To review the ground realities a meeting was convened at KPT Head Office on 29th March, 2017 involving all stake-holders to include; Shipping Lines, Customs, Shipping Association and other relevant agencies, wherein it was ratified that presently there is no congestion at Karachi Port and its terminals i.e. KICT and PICT. The port users and shipping lines conceded to the justification put forwarded by KPT officials and showed their complete satisfaction to the fact that KPT has enough space to accommodate their containers in case of any overflow. Consequently, it was unanimously resolved that Port Congestion Surcharge will be withdrawn by the shipping lines immediately. It was also agreed to hold such like co-ordination meetings involving shipping lines and terminal operators more frequently to obviate occurrence of such issues in future.

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