Urgent Measures Needed to Speed Up EPZ Consignment Clearance at Port Qasim
KARACHI: The Port Qasim has urgently requested the Export Promotion Zone to arrange necessary machinery to expedite clearance of consignments as a new Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Directorate of Transit Trade (HQ) came into effect from January 1, 2025. According to the new SOP, bonded cargo would now have to be tracked and monitored under the updated Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo Rules.
To implement this SOP smoothly, the EPZ has to arrange for machinery and a new yard of examination within the Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ). Absence. of the same would affect the clearance system, leading to terminal congestion if not handled swiftly. It may adversely affect the exports if EPZA does not step in time.
At least two Crane Container Stackers with a 45-ton capacity or similar equipment should be procured immediately. Developing the examination yard, which has been allocated, is highly needed to ensure that no disturbance in the clearing process is allowed.
Due to EPZA’s non-cooperation, a letter has been written to them. The EPZ has been given one month’s time to overcome the shortage of machinery. From February 7, 2025, containers will be loaded in reverse position so that gates are not opened until offloading is done.
Port Qasim is witnessing huge delays presently. The Port Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) has a backlog of over 700 containers, while the South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT) has more than 200 containers. SAPT has limited the number of passes to just 15 per day due to gate congestion caused by truck convoys. Transporters are facing difficulties as heavy traffic is only allowed between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The company has limited gate passes to only 30 a day, making matters worse.
It is because the major delays take place in raw materials importations into the EPZ and cause maximum difficulties to the exporter who are already facing problems because of this continuous delay.
To avoid further delays, the immediate availability of proper machinery and the development of the examination yard are crucial for the smooth clearance of EPZ consignments. Timely action from EPZ authorities is necessary to prevent further setbacks and support exporters.
