Port operators query long stay cargo containers

These long stay cargoes include containers that have been cleared and un-cleared by Customs which occupies terminal space for new shipments.

A global port operator in the province, International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) that operates at the Lae Tidal Basin through its subsidiary company, South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) raised concerns of long stay cargoes sitting inside the terminal.

ICTSI Customer Service Manager Jane Aquino highlighted in her presentation that there are long stay cargoes sitting inside the terminal.  Ms Aquino said these cargoes are either cleared by customs with Duty paid or un-cleared by customs which are labeled as abandoned cargoes.

“Currently, our terminal has cargoes as old as 1,000 plus days sitting inside the terminal,” said Ms Aquino in her presentation.

“A collaborative approach is to facilitate a robust cargo seizure process, and auction in a timely manner, in order to free up terminal space for more incoming cargo,” she said.

The same issue was highlighted by the oldest leading operator of liner shipping in Papua New Guinea, Swire Shipping. Swire Shipping stated that the process for managing abandoned cargo is lengthy and complex, resulting in increased storage and container detention costs.

The company outlined that a possible solution is for faster processing of cargo for auction and that auction proceeds to be shared between shipping line for the loss of use of container and terminal for the accumulated storage. The company has suggested solutions for Customs to look at fast tracking their clearance processes.