CHENSAA AGM discusses key issues
The Chennai & Ennore Ports Steamer Agents Association (CHENSAA) held its 67th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on July 26, 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Chennai City Center. In his address, the Chairman, Mr Y. Leeladharan, emphasised that the points discussed during the AGM would be taken up with the relevant authorities to facilitate smoother compliance, enhance vessel handling capabilities, and ensure seamless cargo movement. He reaffirmed CHENSAA’s commitment to contributing towards the country’s growth.
Mr Leeladharan presented the Annual Report for 2023-2024 outlining CHENSAA’s initiatives and thanking his team for their commendable efforts. He highlighted significant achievements over the past year.
The Chairman extended gratitude towards the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Commissioners, and officials of Chennai Customs for their guidance, as well as to the Chennai Port Authority, CITPL, CCTL, Kamarajar Port, Adani Ennore and Kattupalli Port/Terminals for their support. He also acknowledged the effective joint discussions held with various trade bodies, including CCBA, NACFS, FIEO, Chambers, CII and respective statutory authorities to streamline the procedures and thanked them for their cooperation.
Specific issues deliberated Handling of sea-to-sea transhipment containers
Mr Leeladharan requested the Shipping Ministry/CBIC to facilitate the trade by dispensing with the ETP (Export Transhipment Permit) documentation procedures for sea-to-sea transhipment containers in India, as this additional procedure is time-consuming and adds to cost, thereby discouraging the trade from handling more volumes. Such procedures are not there in the neighbouring Foreign Transshipment Ports where huge volumes are seamlessly handled, he said. Shipping lines should be permitted to file the manifest directly in ICEGATE by excluding the additional documentation procedures at origin port and gateway ports, he added.
He was also of the opinion that while the Ministry has succeeded in macro level policy decisions/declarations, actual implementation for the trade is a herculean task. A classic example is the transhipment of containers/cargo after getting cabotage law relaxation, where there is still no clarity and no uniform practice. In order to achieve MIV 2030, he requested the authorities to seriously look into the micro level issues/additional procedures/dwell time, all of which are leading to huge revenue loss and discouraging handling of more volumes.
Implementation of the new Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulation (SCMTR)
Mr Leeladharan also pointed out that, as guided by the officials of DG Systems, member shipping lines/agents have started parallel filing of SAM - .jason file, under the new SCMTR in ICEGATE, and then closely following up with the respective Customs officials/ICEGATE in order to mitigate the errors. Similarly, shipping lines/agents are in the process of preparing SDM/others to comply.
A large number of CHENSAA members attended the AGM, as per a release
Source: Exim News Service: CHENNAI, Aug. 1