Whenever a new government is formed, influential people and groups get the new regime to do what they want ignoring the welfare of the state and the economy, said Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman Sean Van Dort referring to the potential impact of reinstating the Terminal Handling Charges (THC) on top of the other surcharges affecting the shipping industry.
At a media briefing at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce last week, exporters minced no words about the dangers that a group could inflict on an industry and the economy by coaxing rulers to act the way they want.
“We have seen this conduct by interested parties hell bent on making a fast buck by persuading the authorities to fall in line with their vested interests which we will not tolerate at any cost,” Van Dort said, stressing that the Shippers’ Council fight tooth and nail to ensure the 2014 Gazette that states there should be an all inclusive freight regulation.
Shippers said that when the regulation was introduced in 2013 the President at that time had said there could be various charges on port activity but they must be an all inclusive freight rate.
However, when questioned that would Sri Lanka be the only country to introduce an all inclusive freight regulation Van Dort said that Bangladesh followed suit after Sri Lanka introduced the state mandated all inclusive freight regulation.
The SLSC had reservations whether the present regime which came to clean the Augean Stables would fall prey to predatory tactics and antics of those with vested interests at the Colombo port terminal unit.
The SLSC with other Chambers and Associations defended the clam that Sri Lanka is the first country to come up with an all inclusive freight system which many countries commenced studying the feasibility of it prior to implementing it.
“This is a hard won battle which the SLSC will not let go easily,” Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association Chairman Dhammika Fernando said.
The Council members said anti-competitive practices in the shipping and logistics sector will adversely affect the competitiveness of exporters and stifle the progress of the sector.
Joint Apparel Association Forum General Secretary Yohan Lawrence said the THC on top of a looming higher tariff from the US would severely jeopardise the apparel industry which is one of the key foreign exchange earners to the country.
Terminal Handling Charges are fees charged by port or terminal operators for handling containers at the port which cover various services related to loading, unloading, and storing containers, ensuring smooth transit through the port.
However, the need for reinstating THC had surfaced at a recent discussion with the Ports Ministry and port officials and port users where terminal handlers had made reference to the need for reinstating the THC.
