KARACHI: The Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) was forced to offer to form a high-level committee with FPCCI candidates to look into the complaints and grievances of traders from the apex platform due to the business community’s outcry over a threefold rise in container terminal charges.
Addressing the FPCCI members at Federation House, KGTL Chief Executive Officer Khurram Aziz Khan stated, “The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry is the right place to engage with the trading community.”
“We will invest $75 million over the course of the next two years and then another $100 million in five years on bringing world-class, innovative and efficient facilities machinery and advances in technology to Karachi Port,” he said, highlighting the KGTL’s expansion plans for the container terminal’s infrastructure development.
As a result of the KGTL’s arrangement with the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), which is governed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the organization operates under Pakistani law, according to Mr. Khurram.
The business community is shocked and in amazement at the three-fold hike in container terminal rates since the KGTL took over the administration of the container terminal at Karachi Port’s East Wharf, CEO Khurram was informed by FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon.
The fee per tonne increased from Rs 150 to Rs 480.
Mr. Magoon demanded that the KGTL CEO rationalize the fees right away and stated that any upcoming increases should be disclosed two to three months in advance. Furthermore, he emphasized that the KGTL should not function in a vacuum or without consultation.
He emphasized that in order to stop importers and exporters from being taken advantage of by shipping lines and container ports, strong and effective regulatory oversight is required.
Asif Sakhi, vice president of the FPCCI, asserted that the apex chamber is prepared to mediate disputes between the KGTL along with the business sector and is keeping all avenues and forums open to address concerns raised by traders.
