KARACHI: The All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) has handed over draft bills on Carriage of goods by Sea Act, 2017 and Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Act 2017 (COGSA) to Federal Minister for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, as finalization of these two acts will resolve a number of shipping industry’s issues.
At a meeting with the office bearers of All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA), Minister and Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar assured the shipping fraternity that they would always be there for the betterment of the industry and would use all available resources towards the development of the sector, a statement said.
The minister was apprised about the long pending legislation on Carriage of goods by Sea Act – 2017 and Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Act 2017 (COGSA).
Besides, the minister was also briefed on revision of Merchant Marine Policy 2001, with emphasis on making it more beneficial for both private investors and Pakistan. Draft bills on COGSA and working paper on Merchant Marine Policy prepared by Manzil Pakistan were handed over to the minister, which was appreciated by the minister.
Chairman APSA Aasim Siddiqui discussed the issues, challenges and way forward. He also talked about the false propaganda by certain importers and vested interests against shipping fraternity.
Asim Siddiqui further apprised the minister about the launch of freight train and informed that tracks were being installed from the container terminal to freight train terminal. The meeting also discussed access of trains to Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and SAPT.