KARACHI: Rise in freight rates is a difficult situation which exporters cannot cope with and they cannot meet the targets of international competition and global connectivity, said Ateeq Ur Rehman, economic and financial analyst.
He said the trans-shipment cost is also very high in our country. In Pakistan it is approximately $166/20FT & $ 198/ 40FT, whereas in Port Kelang it is $111/ 20FT & $150 / 40FT and in Colombo it is $98 /20FT & $150 / 40FT.
He said in case a container arrives in one port and has to be loaded from another port / terminal then hiring custom clearing agents for getting customs approval takes time, and expenses like demurrage and customs clearing agents fees. He added that there is dearth of containers and their availability is difficult because of limited frequency of ships calling on our ports and in major of the cases containers may be under hold. Under such situation and circumstances it is suggested for Break Bulk Cargo / Shipments. He said two tons slings bags and jumbo bags are as good as a safe seaborne trade which has taken place in the past and they are the need of the hour. It is not only cost saving but also worthwhile. We can easily export rice, cement, fertilizer, raw material, etc., through these sustainable means. We can manufacture ply wooden lift vans for movement of furniture and other crated items, said Ateeq.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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