Exporters say truckers’ strike caused massive losses

Exporters have warned of heavy losses, tight vessel space and an unusually steep rise in sea freight after a nationwide goods transport stoppage lasting nine days, according to Business Recorder. Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, who coordinates All Pakistan Exporters Associations, said the disruption had nearly halted export cargo and asked for a standing government arrangement. Boxes moving from plants and depots toward Karachi Port and Port Qasim stalled once the stoppage began on August 8.

By his count the daily toll reached roughly Rs50 billion, adding up to about Rs450 billion across nine days, or USD1.62 billion at Rs277.62 per dollar. He added that lost orders, higher freight and damage to buyer confidence could push the true figure considerably higher. Container freight to the US West Coast surged roughly 372 percent, from USD1,800 to USD8,500, while the US East Coast rate rose around 344 percent to USD8,000.

Additional charges of up to USD1,000 per container were imposed on August 14 and 15 through rate increases and surcharges, and Bilwani said exporters cannot absorb rises above 300 percent. He has urged the government to secure vessel space, relieve detention and demurrage charges, and create a permanent Export Cargo Continuity Mechanism.