Freight forwarders urge government to regulate issues over charges
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders (FMFF) is calling on the government to regulate issues related to landside charges and terminal handling charges.
FMFF president Alvin Chua Seng Wah said local players were struggling to cope with escalating landside charges imposed by shipping lines.
“For instance, the port authority imposed terminal handling charges of RM230 on shipping companies, which in turn charges importers and exporters.
“Last year, the shipping lines were granted permission to review the landside charges by 15 per cent, which placed additional burden on importers and exporters,” he said after meeting the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), here, yesterday.
Chua said 90 per cent of importers and exporters were small and medium enterprises, as such they did not have any bargaining power with shipping lines.
Many shipping lines berthing at Malaysian ports were multinationals, such as Hapag-Lloyd.
“The prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) wants Malaysia to be more businessfriendly, so they should facilitate trade instead of imposing roadblocks.
“The government should also look into the efficiency of the Customs Department and other government agencies.
“Therefore, FMFF will submit another comprehensive report to CEP, comprising three major areas, namely Customs, port authority and land side charges,” he added.