Following the customs decision to stop clearing any containers that are destined to Gaza, we are requesting from you to inform your Agents, sub Agents, FF, Custom agents or members that the Palestinian importers will not and should not be liable to any demurrage cost, since the decision of blocking their containers is an Israeli decision.
This should include all shipments that are destined to Gaza and whether they are already customs cleared or are about to arrive to any Israeli port or the containers that are already in Gaza and are unable to leave.
The Palestinian Shippers’ Council will recruit and consult international lawyers on the legality of withholding the containers and imposing the demurrage.
Reference to the data collected from the crossing point of Al Montar, Ministry of Economy and Chamber of Commerce, the average number of containers entered to Gaza via Al Montar has been 55 per working day. Taking this figure and multiplied by the number of days that crossing was closed (since 12/6/2007) and adding three days prior and three days after to consider pending containers, we will reach to an estimated total of about 960 at all Israeli ports up to 26/7/2007.
The estimated value is about USD250 millions.
We shall not forget the losses that are taking place on daily basis, storage cost, demurrage and damages to the goods. This is of course for containers going in, what about containers going out.
Demurrage cost so far = 960X$70X14 days =$940,800 estimated so far.
We also have containers inside Gaza and are unable to leave, for example 300. this means 300X$70X20=$420,000 estimated so far.
These figures are on the increase if the crossings remained closed.
I really appreciate your concrete support and I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards
Majdi
0 Have Your Say!:
Post a Comment