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Port Klang Authority came under more scathing attacks by port users for its
inability and tardiness in responding to issues and grievances raised by the
users.
Following the recent strong criticism by the International Shipowners’s
Association that took to task Port Klang Authority (PKA) for sweeping
problems under the carpet, the Central Region Shipping Agents Association (CRSA)
complained of inaction and delays by PKA in deciding on critical issues
faced by users was undermining the competitiveness of the port.
The ISOAM chairman Datuk Abdul Latiff Abdullah was quoted in a daily last
week as saying that if Port Klang wanted to become a maritime hub in the
region, PKA as the regulator need to stop nit-picking, especially against
the terminal operators on Port Klang.
ISOAM that represents 33 major foreign shipping lines calling Malaysian
ports also felt that a lot could be achieved if there was a mindset change
to foster a better relationship by regulators, namely the Port Klang
Authority (PKA) and the two terminal operators.
“But over the years, PKA has shown apparent indecisiveness in terms of
trying to resolve outstanding issues and these can have far reaching
implications,” Latiff said.
Latif said regulators were supposed to be those who came up with amicable
solutions so that business could go on without much interruption.
But in recent years, he said, regulators had swept issues under the carpet
and engaged in “hide-and seek” playoffs, without conclusive solutions being
proposed.
Among them, he said, were the inter-terminal transfer (ITT), port handling
fees, marine charges, pilot detention charges and the withdrawal of feeder
operators’ incentives hipping lines.
The president of CRSA M Gopal said the decision on the inter-terminal
transfers (ITT) of containers between container terminals was not only
delayed but was made unilaterally.
Gopal who leads 60 shipping agents representing shipping lines calling Port
Klang said the decision on the ITT was waited for years by the shipping
lines using the port and a decision was only made in mid January 2006.
“PKA should have be resolved the issue amicably overnight “but yet decisions
that needed lengthy discussion was decided overnight and unilaterally
without hearing concerns from parties involved,” Gopal said.
Supporting the views of the 33-member ISOAM that the image of PKA as the
regulatory body was at stake because of its indecisiveness, Gopal the
approach taken by PKA would adversely affect the nation competitiveness.
He related the unilateral decision to abort the barge operations without any
valid reasons of discussion with users by PKA was very discretionary that
would hinder the development of the port.
Gopal wanted PKA to adopt a paradigm shift and initiate cost-reduction
measures and enhance efficiency.
“PKA and the Terminal Operator must be customer focused in decision making
and over the past two years many kind of rates were increased and were made
without proper justification,” he added.
Meanwhile it is understood that the Ministry of Transport has queried PKA on
the recent reports.
PKA, headed by Datin Paduka O C Phang is a government regulatory agency and
which oversees the operation of two port terminal operators, namely
Northport, operated by Northport (Malaysia) Bhd and Westport, operated by
Kelang Multi Terminals Sdn Bhd |
