Corebis draws divided response from industry

THE COREBIS system - allowing ports to directly invoice shipping lines and ships agencies - is now one year old. According to SA Port Operations (Sapo) sources, it brings the SA harbours into line with the accepted international invoicing procedure. FTW was told that Corebis allows each shipping line to receive one invoice per ship for all containers handled within one or two working days of the vessel having completed discharge/loading. At the same time - by letting them produce the invoicing for each vessel much more promptly than ever before - it has made their money gathering much quicker and more accurate. For clearing and forwarding agents it wasn’t so pleasing since it does away with the old procedure of the c&f agent getting all the monies up front from the cargo owner, and making at least a month’s interest before they received the bills from the port authorities. Now, FTW was told, the shipping lines are demanding their money up front before they will release the cargo. But, despite discussions with a number of lines and ships agents, we have been unable to get any response regarding their feelings. If you are a Corebis user, and have any comments, email them to joyo@nowmedia.co.za