Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghori was to preside over the meeting. However, he did not attend because of a cabinet meeting in Islamabad. - File photo

KARACHI: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping was unable to reach a conclusion in its fifth meeting on Thursday on the issue of change of title of goods in bills of lading (B/L).

Rana Mahmoodul Hasan, chairman of the committee, who presided over the meeting listened to the point of view of the shipping lines, the freight forwarders and exporters.

In her opening remarks, the committee member, Fauzia Wahab, asked the members to be brief and avoid repetitions. However, as proceedings started, it looked that almost all members were still trying to know the technicalities.

It was informed that the State Bank and Ministry of Commerce have already given their point of view in writing, but a decision could not be reached immediately as exporters have dissenting views.

Exporters stated that change of title on Master Bill of Lading deprives them of the ownership of the goods and allows the representatives of freight forwarders to clear the consignment at port of entry which results in long delays in receiving export proceeds. It often results in total loss of funds, they said.

They further stated that when they deliver their consignment to freight forwarders, a House Bill of Lading is issued carrying their title. However, when the same (goods) are taken to shipping line or a carrier, the title on the master bill of lading (carrier B/L) is changed which deprives them of the ownership of goods (exports consignment).

The representatives of exporters included Jawed Bilwani, Naqi Bari, Khawaja Usman, Rana Mushtaq, Rafiq Godial, Kamran Chandna, Feroz Alam Lari and Haroon Agar.

However, representatives of freight forwarders and shipping lines were not ready to buy the idea that any fraud or wrong-doing is being done by bringing in change in the title on bill of lading.

They said that the system is in vogue the world over and is working under international best practices.

They further stated that currently several multinational logistic companies are operating as freight forwarders in the country with around $200 million investment.

The buyers in foreign land take the services of freight forwarders to ensure delivery of goods at their door-step. Importers also obtain services of freight forwarders to ensure timely delivery and quality check as per specifications.

Against this, they said shipping line or carrier only takes goods from one port to another whereas freight forwarders have to look after all modes of transportation under a multi-model system adopted the world over.

The members of National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping who attended the meeting included Fozia Wahab, Khawaja Sohail Masroor, Asif Husain, Nasir Shah, Noman Sheikh and Mr Bogio.

However, the chairman of the committee Rana Mahmoodul Hasan in his concluding remarks said that both the sides have been heard and after taking finance committee on board with regard to Bill of Lading, a decision would be taken.

Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghori was to preside over the meeting. However, he did not attend because of a cabinet meeting in Islamabad.