Subzwari announces waiving KPT, Port Qasim charges on stranded containers

Subzwari announces waiving KPT, Port Qasim charges on stranded containers

KARACHI (Web Desk) - The federal government will waive off Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim charges completely to clear thousands of containers stranded at the ports, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Faisal Subzwari said Monday.

Talking to reporters in Karachi, he said the government had decided to waive off 100 per cent charges of KPT and Port Qasim on thousands of containers that remain stranded at the ports,”

The minister, who was flanked by the business community, said the Ministry of Maritime Affairs would issue a notification in this regard today, adding the business community had been informed as well.

He acknowledged that the businesses had suffered due to the current situation.

Refuting reports that shipping lines were going to close their operations in Pakistan, Subzwari said no shipping company was going to shut its business in Pakistan. “Nothing of this sort would happen. Secondly, we have had talks with the shipping lines and have asked them to facilitate our businesses," he added.

“The Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will soon be given a status of an off-dock terminal, and all stranded containers will be shifted there, which will eliminate our port congestion and issues of the shipping lines and terminal operators,” the minister maintained.