Bangkok Shipowners and Agent Association

Bangkok Shipowners and Agents Association
To promote charity and assist in public welfare.
Home News Local Shipping News Bangkok wharf closures cost shippers B10bn so far
Bangkok wharf closures cost shippers B10bn so far PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 25 May 2011 07:45


The temporary closure of two wharves at the Bangkok Port has cost shippers more than 10 billion baht so far because of excessive service charges and inefficient cargo handling.

The two wharves, out of a total of seven operating at the Klong Toey port, have been closed for maintenance since late last year, resulting in heavy congestion, according to Chainant Ukosakul, an executive of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

"Many ships could not call at the port as scheduled and those that could find a berth have asked for higher surcharges for unloading containers," he said.

Some liners have asked for an additional US$50 to $100 per container, resulting in extra costs of up to 215 million baht a month to exporters.

Together with other losses that include delays in shipments, Mr Chainant estimated that exporters have experienced accumulated losses of 10 billion baht since maintenance began.

He has urged the Port Authority of Thailand to speed up the work in order to protect the country's lucrative export sector.

Thailand has recorded strong export performance this year and continues to benefit substantially from the sweeping tariff reductions under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) agreement.

The value of Thailand's exports to Asean countries in 2010, the first full year of Afta, rose 39.5% year-on-year to $44.32 billion, according to data compiled by the International Trade Studies Centre of University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Singapore led the region with $106.6 billion worth of exports to Asean, followed by Malaysia at $50.51 billion, said Aat Pisanwanich, the centre's director.

The Philippines showed the highest growth of 98% from the year before with exports of $11.52 billion worth of goods to the six Afta members. The pact covers Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Mr Aat said Thailand's trade to the region was led by key products including tapioca, textiles, automobiles.

He also called for the new government to negotiate with some Asean members such as Indonesia, which has introduced measures that impede imports of plastic pellets and Hom Mali rice from Thailand.

 

Source : Bangkok Post 25/5/11