KARACHI, Aug 19: Pakistan Shippers’ Council, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has called for allowing national flag carriers of Pakistan and India to load and unload cargo of third countries as no shipping line could survive only on bilateral trade.

“Requirement of NOC from Pakistan National Shipping Corporation is merely an obstacle to shipping activity,” said the Chairman PSC, Abdul Rashid Janmohammed while talking to APP here.

He also proposed that PNSC and Bangladesh Shipping Corporation should develop a regular service between the two countries, which was a long-standing demand of the shippers from both sides. Similarly, the shipping service between Karachi and Colombo should be enhanced to match the expected increase in trade after signing of free trade agreement with Sri Lanka.

He underlined the need for promoting sense of understanding between shipping companies and shippers to strengthen the industry.

There should be a mechanism between the two sides to discuss freight rates and other related charges, Rashid Janmohammed said. The PSC believes that all charges should be part of the freight and a shipper/consignee must know the total cost of the product before same is transacted, he said.

He complained that shippers were not enjoying the status and respect of customers with shipping lines. He said on production of clean bill of lading shippers should be entitled to get delivery of the consignment.—APP