Apapa improvements on the table

“Customs and release procedures are very cumbersome and cargo often spends days on the truck before final release is obtained,” explained Koen De Backker of APM Terminals.

Mr De Backker told Port Strategy that APMT has suggested changes to the scanning process and has offered to take over the logistical side of driving containers through the scanner on its own equipment. He said: “Although customs initially was very reluctant, we are in an advanced stage of negotiation and we expect to get the go ahead to implement the new process still in the first quarter of the year.”

The more efficient processes would allow around 40% of the investigated containers to be scanned, as opposed to the 70% being physically checked at present. The move would also lower congestion problems posed by external trucks.