KARACHI, July 12: Terminal operators and shipping lines have increased service charges with immediate effect.

The charges have been raised owing to rising costs and increase in the rate of sales tax from 15 per cent to 16 per cent by the government in the new budget.

According to a notification the revised terminal handling charges will be applicable to all Pakistani ports and terminals.

The new charges for handling full container load (FCL) of 20-feet, if stuffed at the premises of exporter, will be Rs6,550 and for 40- feet box Rs9,850. However, if the FCL is stuffed at the terminal or at the port, Rs9,350 and Rs15,500 will be charged for a small and big box, respectively.

Commenting on the increase Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association chairman Shabir Ahmed said that the rapidly rising handling charges by shipping lines and terminal operators were making exports uncompetitive in the world market.

He said that shipping companies were charging Rs2,500 over and above the official rates for issuing Bill of Lading. Similarly, Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) is charging exporters Rs15,500 for stuffing Loose Container Load (LCL) at its yard.

Jawed Bilwani, chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) said that the QICT had established a separate company Qasim freight station for stuffing and de-stuffing containers to justify its exorbitant charges.

He further said that the KICT suffered from space shortage and due to which many ships shutout export containers resulting delay in shipment or extra cost in case the cargo is air-lifted.