KARACHI, Aug 26: All the three container terminal operators of Karachi and Qasim port have agreed to waive demurrage charges worth millions of rupees on boxes which could not be cleared by importers owing to eight-day strike observed by the goods’ transporters.

In a meeting held on Tuesday between customs agents and representatives of Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) it was agreed that all charges imposed under first slab would be waived.

Similarly, all containers which have to pay demurrage under slab two and three will get relief on paying a flat rate based on first slab. This would mean that importers would be able to get total relief from demurrage charges for a period of 10 days.

Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) general secretary Muhammad Arshad Jamal and All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) chairman Syed Shams Ahmed Burney represented customs agents in the negotiations. The KCIT was represented by Rashid Jamil, PICT by Mr Zafar Awan and QICT by Mr Cyrus.

As per government rules on unloading of cargo/container from ship the first five days period is free of charges for keeping cargo inside port area. Thereafter, four slabs each having a period of five days becomes effective to recover demurrage charges at higher rates.

As per agreement reached between terminal operators and customs agents, Arshad Jamal said importers would get 10 days free of any charges to be paid on account of demurrage.

He further said THAT presently over 6,000 containers were stacked at the three terminals and hoped that most of these boxes would be cleared without paying demurrage charges.

The Karachi and Qasim port have been also asked to waive demurrage charges for other cargoes mostly bulk and lose which are directly handled by the ports and not the private sector. This will directly benefit trade and industry but ultimately it will tickle down to consumers.

According to current demurrage charges, Mr Jamal said that under first slab an importer required to pay Rs712 for 20 feet container per day; for 40ft box Rs1,424 and for 45ft Rs1,564.

Similarly, under second slab for 20ft container Rs887 have to be paid toward demurrage per day; for 40ft Rs1,174 and for 45ft Rs1,984.

Responding to a question, Arshad said the backlog of cargo and container accumulated at the ports would be cleared before the advent of Ramazan.