The comments attributed to Sandy Long were made during an informal panel discussion that was convened as an interactive learning session during which those attending were encouraged to speak frankly about problems and solutions within their field of operations. Sandy, and indeed Safmarine, is concerned that whilst many carriers are doing their utmost to provide the South African shipping industry with a world class service, many customers still experience delays in receiving delivery of their consignments due to the late issue of Bills of Lading caused by incomplete and/or inaccurate Shipping Instructions.
It is a fact that Bills of Lading are compiled from information contained in Shipping Instructions. The latter documents must be both accurate and complete before Bills can be issued and released.
Freight forwarders are, rightly, very protective of their services and methods of operation, including staff training and would resent carriers such as Safmarine interfering directly in their area of business, as per your reader's implied suggestion. Where business-related problems exist it is quite normal to undertake research of the type described by Ms Long, to ascertain the scope and depth of those problems and Safmarine is grateful to FTW and the writer of the letter under reply for again highlighting this serious issue.
Safmarine will continue to assist its many freight forwarder clients in giving advice and assistance in documentation matters; but Safmarine will not interfere directly in the running of those businesses.
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