PUTRAJAYA: Containers arriving at Port Klang will be cleared within three days beginning May 1 in a new standard operating procedure that will further boost the port’s efficiency in cargo handling, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said a pilot project was carried out earlier this year and the ministry believes this is a good system that could reduce time taken for the clearing process.
He said that with the SOP, the handling of a container until it is released for delivery would only take one day for each process, citing an example when a container arrives, the process of placing it at the container yard would take a day and inspection by agencies would take another.
“If the documents are in order and authorities believe the information is genuine, then it can take just three days for a container to be cleared.
“However, should the documentation raise the authorities’ suspicions, they have from day three to day 30 to investigate,” he told reporters yesterday.
Dr Wee explained that within that period, should the authorities find wrongful declaration of goods or false tax declaration, they can act against the culprits.
“If agencies want to take the case to court, then the containers will be removed to a designated area so that we can clear the container yard to avoid congestion,” he added.
He said there is currently no timeline as to how long it should take to clear a container, adding that if this SOP proves to be successful, it could be used as a template for other ports to follow to boost their efficiency.
“Ultimately, the aim is to reduce the cost of doing business through quick cargo clearance and to ensure timely delivery of goods,” Dr Wee said.
Earlier, he announced that two more types of prime movers and semi-trailers – the luton box and general cargo – would be interchangeable within a group of companies.
This is a further expansion to an initiative implemented last year, allowing the interchanging of prime movers and semi-trailers under a group of companies for moving containerised cargo.
“This initiative was implemented after continuous reviews were made to ensure existing regulations are in line with the industry’s development and to contribute to its efficiency,” he said.
Phase Two of this initiative will only be applicable to Peninsular Malaysia for the moment.
Aside from conditions stipulated for Phase One, terms listed under this latest policy state that this is only applicable to first-tier companies under a group of companies, in which the parent company must hold at least 51% share of equity.
The allowed weight for the interchanging of a prime mover and trailer should be at the lowest weight – between the laden weight (BDM) of a semi-trailer or Gross Combined Weight (BGK) of a prime mover.
Offences committed under the relevant laws will be enforced only on the prime movers.
Companies must obtain technical approvals from the Road Transport Department before the applications are made to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
Prime movers can only be used to pull the same types of semi-trailers that are registered (for both Phase One and Two).
Prime movers that are registered to pull box trailers, for example, cannot be used to pull semi-trailers for general cargoes.
The registration policy for Licence A (excluding containers) is maintained at a ratio of one prime mover for one semi-trailer.
Prime movers and semi-trailers that are intended to be used under a group of companies must be registered with APAD (for all applications in Peninsular Malaysia).