Shippers call on govt to set up independent maritime commission like Mavcom

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 26): Local shippers (importers and exporters) have called on the government to set up an independent enforcement agency to regulate service providers, charges and unfair practices in the maritime transport sector.

Likening it to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) for the aviation industry, the Malaysian National Shippers’ Council (MNSC) believes that the establishment of a Malaysia Maritime Commission (Marcom) will effectively complement efforts of the Malaysian Shipping and Maritime Council, in improving transport efficiency and trade facilitation and elevate Malaysia to become the preferred logistics gateway to Asia.

While it welcomes the move by the government to set up the Malaysian Shipping and Maritime Council and the Malaysian Aviation Council, MNSC pointed out that "any council which has no enforcement capacity may not be able to support the demands of the maritime sector".

Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said his ministry will activate an expert advisory council to oversee matters related to shipping and ports, with the first meeting scheduled within two months.

Date of publication: September 26, 2018
Source: TheEdge Markets