Palestinian Shippers' Council met Israel's Chamber of Shipping

Representatives of the Palestinian Shippers' Council (PSC) met last week a delegation of Israel's Chamber of Shipping headed by Mr. Reuven Zuck, chairman of the Chamber of Shipping.
 
The meeting was arranged following a letter of dismay sent by the PSC to all shipping companies, Israeli Authorities, Israeli Ports & Customs, towards any charges that their members incurred or about to incur on any shipment that is destined to Gaza or to certain areas within the west Bank where a complete closure was imposed on commercial and human movement for over than two months.
 
According to the PSC some 1,400 containers imported by the Palestinian trading community are held at ports or at container yards unable to cross into Palestinian territory.
 
Palestinian traders, according to the PSC pay heavy penalties in demurrage and storage costs due to the closure.
 
Mr. Zuk expressed the chamber's willingness to assist the PSC in its efforts to ease the situation and co-operate to allow better movement of goods to Gaza and to certain areas within the west Bank.
 
The Palestinain Shippers' Council was launched on the 11th of April 2006,with the assistance of the Peres Peace Center and in cooperation with the European Union and UNCTAD. Its main objective is to form a national shippers' council that is capable of addressing the urgent needs of Palestinian importers and exporters (the shippers' community) generated by the protracted conflict, and supporting the PA's reform and long-term trade development efforts.