New EU security rules generate healthy internet debate

The rigorous implementation of the new EU security rules – in particular by carriers in the EU – is generating lively internet debate. The issue raised by an overseas source – the Shippers’ Voice – claimed some carriers were asking for the freight data five days in advance of loading when the EU requires it only 24 hours in advance for sea freight. Responding to the news posted on FTW Online last week, Hariesh Manaadiar provided some insight from a shipping line perspective. “ Although the EU requirement is 24 hours prior to loading of the cargo, the shipping line/agents also need time to collate the data, check it, capture the information and file it with EU customs – and still allow time for any errors or rejections. “It must also be remembered that the planning of the vessel is done on the assumption that all containers will be accepted by the EU customs for loading,” says Manaadiar. “If EU customs rejects the loading and there is not sufficient time to rectify the errors and reapply, then those containers cannot be loaded which means that the stowage plan may need to be redone which is a lot of time, effort and money for the shipping line.” The bottom line, says Manaadiar, is that it’s in everyone’s (shippers, agents, lines) interests that all available information is provided as early as possible to ensure that everyone has the time to get the manifest filed and accepted by EU customs. “Rejections also cause problems for the shippers which ultimately affect their delivery deadlines.” Another carrier backs up Manaadiar’s comments. “The lines are forced to deliver the dates 24 hours before loading in South Africa to the customs and have to get the go-ahead for the loading,” he said. “That means all details have to be exact, in time and correct. “If anything goes wrong in the details delivered by the client, the line will not get the go-ahead for the loading and the container will not be loaded. So in order to have time in between to check in case anything is incorrectly reported by the client it is necessary to have a workable time frame – one that is in the interests of the client/shipper and that will ultimately avoid any additional costs.”