Agency anxiety as cargo is held for months

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Pradeep Puravankara

Tonnes of marine cargo shipped from Bahrain and other GCC countries have been detained at the Kochi port for months due to the customs authority’s non-clearance, the cargo agency owners disclosed at a press conference in Bahrain.

This has been a pressing problem since February 2024, affecting over 300 clients from six significant Bahraini freight companies that shipped two shipments during this period.

Due to the delay, a large number of products have already expired and cannot be used by the recipients.

Bahraini cargo company owners are blaming the Kochi Seaport Customs Commissioner for this distress situation, as he has not yet provided any clarification.

Since the shipment has been held since February, cargo companies are also required to pay daily storage fees, which are substantially more than the money they were paid by their clients.

The majority of the victims are domestic workers from lower-class backgrounds who send used household goods, clothing, and food items home.

Since sea freight is less expensive than air cargo, lower-class customers typically choose it. Typically, it takes 18 to 20 days to clear marine cargo from Bahrain to Kerala.

During the press conference, Ms. Jaymol, CEO of Eastern Movers and Cargo, based in Hidd, said that the problem was exclusive to the Kochi port and did not exist in any other Indian port.

The representatives of the Bahrain-based cargo businesses are attempting to get in touch with Kerala’s higher authorities, such as the Chief Minister’s office and Members of Parliament, as well as the Indian Embassy in Bahrain.

Ms. Jaymol, Mr. Vinod, Mr. Younus, Mr. Afsal, Mr. Yashir, and Mr. Abhilash, representing the cargo companies, attended the press conference.