KARACHI: All stakeholders of the Ports & Shipping sector unanimously favored the idea of establishing an autonomous Logistics Service Providers Regulatory Authority (LSPRA). This body will be responsible for devising a legal framework, issuing guidelines, deciding charges, and monitoring all activities within the ports and shipping sector.
During a meeting under the supervision of Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi at the KPT Head Office, it was agreed that the LSPRA Bill, pending since 2013, would be revisited. This review will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders, under the supervision of the Chairman KPT, to make necessary amendments based on the current scenario before forwarding it to the government for approval and implementation.
The meeting was attended by President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, Chairman Customs & Valuation Subcommittee Sheikh Waqas Anjum, and representatives of shipping companies, shipping agents, customs agents, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and others.
President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh shared that all stakeholders strongly believe that establishing a regulatory body has become inevitable. This body will control varying and unjust charges by shipping lines and create an enabling business environment to promote Pakistan’s trade and bring port operations up to international standards.
Concerns were expressed over the varying and exorbitant LCL charges by off-dock terminals. The Chairman KPT was requested to address this issue with the terminals, urging them to publicize their rate lists. Sheikh appreciated the resolve of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and Chairman KPT Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi to improve the ports and shipping sector to facilitate Pakistan’s trade and exports.
Sheikh highlighted that keeping shipping companies operational every Saturday for the issuance of Delivery Orders (DOs) was now possible due to efforts by Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala. On the previous Saturday, most shipping companies, including Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, CMA CGM, Green Pak, PIL, MSC, OOCL, Cosco, Inshipping, Emirates, CIM, Sharaf, Eastern Sea, ONE Line, Yaseen Shipping, MA & GAC, Freight Connection, and PakShaheen, remained operational for issuing DOs.
Iftikhar Sheikh reiterated that the business community faces inconsistency in charges, complicating costing and forecasting for businessmen. He advised that there should be harmonization in these charges to provide a level playing field for all traders. The KCCI, along with KPT, is ready to play a role in establishing a single regulatory authority to combat tariff issues and other major problems faced by the ports and shipping agents.
The Karachi Chamber has been demanding regulation of the shipping sector since 2013, but the LSPRA Bill remains pending. With the Prime Minister’s intervention, the business community is optimistic that the LSPRA Bill will soon become a reality to fully regulate the shipping sector.