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Raids reveal parts go missing before vehicles come to Hambantota port
View(s):Ports authorities have defended their workers against allegations that they were stealing expensive vehicle parts at the Hambantota harbour, saying inquiries had proven these components went missing before the cars were unloaded in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has submitted a list of proposals to Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to streamline the vehicle clearing process, said Keerthi Gunawardana, its Secretary.
In response to recent complaints, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, VIASL and others carried out a joint inspection of the “Demeter Leader” car carrier belonging to Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) shipping line at midnight on June 13. A similar inspection took place during discharging operations of “M.V. Modern Link” on June 2.
Both inquiries showed that the cars came into Sri Lanka with various parts and accessories missing, said Norman Weeraratne, General Manager of the Magampura Port Management Company (Pvt) Ltd. “Soon after the ramp was placed, the VIASL representatives rushed to the vessel deck and began inspections of imported vehicles without allowing port workers to enter the vessel,” he states, in a report to the SLPA Chairman.
“Many expensive parts of vehicles were found missing,” he says. “The representatives monitored all missing parts of vehicles and took pictures. Now, who is responsible for these expensive parts? Are they port workers or vessel or the loading port?”
Mr. Weeraratne said that the VIASL “very clearly understood that expensive parts of these vehicles were missing before arriving (at) Hambatota Port”. His report maintains that the Association was suppressing the truth in order to claim insurance for the missing parts. “The easiest path is to put the blame on port workers and claim insurance,” it states. The accessories include SD cards, electric car chargers, spare keys, gear knob, etc.
Meanwhile, the VIASL presented its own report to the Government this week. It said that six of the Association’s representatives were among those that participated in the inspection on June 13. Everything that transpires from when a car carrier arrives at the Port to the point each imported vehicle is released was discussed in detail, the report said.
The document contains a list of ten proposals. It suggests that shipping agents are to be asked to provide a “tally sheet” for each vehicle that could then be compared with the tally sheet provided in Japan at the time vehicles were loaded onto car carriers. Existing tally sheets should be further improved to include new parts and accessories. The number of tally sheet copies required must be increased, with one tally sheet being placed in the cubby hole of each vehicle at the time of unloading.
VIAL has asked for representatives of shipping agents to be present at Customs while vehicles were being cleared. The Association wants Port security to certify if, at any time, items on the tally sheets were found to be missing or different to what has been specified. It has also asked for the number of security cameras to be increased and for two security officers to enter the car carrier. Several other proposals have been made.