I received below question from one of the readers of this blog, one that relates directly to South African ports and shipments.. But there could be other such issues in other countries as well..
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Hi Manaadiar
Your blog is simply invaluable and it is incredible how generous you are with your wilingness to empower. I am a cargo surveyor. Pre-Navis I used to be able to access general information regarding the vessel discharge, container condition report, gate-out times etc etc. tehn I would call Ports (TPT) for any additional information like reefer temperature history etc.
Post-Navis: Nothing. I have no access. Ports refuse to provide any information and refer me consistently to the Shipping Lines. The Lines simply do not respond, because normally something has gone wrong where I am appointed. I honestly cannot do my work correctly and am now having to literally beg for the simplest of documents.
Your or any of your readers advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have asked Ports to arrange log on codes for surveyors and have run this past a number of their managers. Their response is to not respond, but refer me to the Line.
Maybe I should set up a Line!
Thanks so much for this blog
Michael
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My answer to this is – ” Michael, Navis is also designed for better security for all and what you are asking from the port, is information relating to the line and their vessels/container and this is privileged information between the line and the port and their clients.. The port requires the lines permission in order to provide you the same..
If you have been appointed by the merchant to check and protect their cargo interests, then you need to provide that information/authorisation to the relevant shipping line and request them to provide you third party access for Navis or provide you with the information relating to that shipment.. I dont think any of the shipping lines will decline any genuine request.. “
Anyone else has any other ideas/suggestions/comments pls do share..
I think that basic information, like vessel and container arrival/departure, should be always available for the full port community: that’s a kind of service that each modern Terminal should offer by default.
Of course there are some data that must be considered privileged information between the line and the port and their clients. Some good samples:
- Shipper or Receivers of the goods;
- Goods type / weight;
- Any custom document which relates to the cargo;
- Seal numbers.
Just my 2 cents !
Valid 2 cents gekseppe..
Thanks for your response Manaadiar
Ports:
General information that is not prejudicial is no longer available in ‘documentary form’ from Ports, which was available from Ports with ease and no fuss.
Lines:
Privileged information, but pertaining to the requirements of the Consignee and/or their Agents I assure you is by some Lines simply obfuscated (to fob you off). I first get the Agent to request formally, then I request in terms of the formal Agents request. I have in the past used PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information Act No 2 of 2000) and forced my hand, but this tends to create a conflict in relationship which is disadvantageous in the long term.
From the above I am saying that the major issue is the ‘Ports’ one. The Navis sysem has now removed the basic non-prejudicial information from public access. Most lines (not all functional) have a basic container traking public access that is not always captured correctly and may be based on estimates. The Ports had fantastic pre-Navis public access and precise data. This should be maintained – that is my concern.
“I dont think any of the shipping lines will decline any genuine request’ – I must advise that some Lines decline. The affect has meant that some cargo claims lodged by a Consignee cannot be verified e.g. Temperature fluctuations on a reefer when someone forgot to connect the reefer to a power supply.
Thanks again for putting this online.