Jeddah Islamic Port and Customs have declared an emergency and cancelled staff vacations to deal with a congestion crisis at the port. Staff vacation will be permitted only in case of death of a direct relative. Others who do not report for duty face stringent punishment. Sources said senior officials including Dr. Khalid Bubshait, President of the General Ports Authority expect a standstill situation similar to a few weeks ago when 19 vessels unloaded their goods and choked up the port. Stevedoring companies and consignment inspectors are finding it hard to cope with accumulated goods in the port's yards. Port refrigeration officials fear there will soon be no more room for storage of frozen foodstuff. At the port's Quality Control Laboratory, staff shortage allows for clearance of only 10% of consignments brought for examination. And worse, staff shortage in dealing with rice consignments may cause a market supply crisis leading to higher prices. At the port's the X-ray scanning area, only three machines are available, one of which works only at half capacity, the sources said. Documents show that up to 15,000 imported cars have accumulated because of mistakes made in entering chassis numbers by some maritime agents. A study by Saleh Al-Khelaiwi, Director General of Customs in the Kingdom, calls for increasing fines on importers and their agents who delay clearance of consignments. Customs clearance employees and merchants are generally ready to accept the increase – and even a reduction in the demurrage period to seven days – but on condition that the Customs Authorities ensure no delay in clearance of goods. – Okaz __
