News Bulletin – 23 November 2019
Note: This post was published more than 6 years ago, on 23 November 2019. Some information, rules or references in it may have changed since then and may no longer apply. Some links may no longer open the original page because the source website may have moved or removed it. Readers should check the current information with the relevant official source before relying on it.
1. Incorrect Data in certain lECs; corrective action required from exporters: DGFT.
21 Nov 2019 : In a trade notice to the members of trade and industry and regional authorities, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said there are certain data mismatch issues in IEC database which requires immediate corrective action.
DGFT said, “On analysis of the DGFT IEC database, it has been observed that there are certain data mismatch issues which require immediate corrective action.” The import-export certificate (also known as IEC license) is the code you need to do import-export business in India. The data mismatch in IECs (Import Export Code number) have been reported in – Incorrect Permanent Account Number (PAN); and More than one IEC against same PAN.
2. Taiwanese cargo ship sank after collision 2 crew missing.
21 Nov 2019 : Cargo ship CHANG XIN with 9 crew on board issued distress signal at 2150 Beijing time Nov 20, reporting sinking near Chuanshi Island, Minjiang River estuary, Fuzhou, China, Taiwan Strait waters.
According to reports, the ship started to take in water and sank, after collision with unidentified vessel. Fujian MRCC sent SAR boats and helicopter to disaster site. In the morning Nov 21 helicopter spotted a life raft with 6 crew, 1 crew swam to the shore, 2 crew went missing.
3. Yale Study Warns of Dangerous Mental Stress Among Seafarers.
20 Nov 2019 : Seafarers are exposed to dangerously high levels of mental stress, a new study carried out by Yale University and commissioned by the Seafarers Trust has revealed. After questioning seafarers across the world the researchers found that within the previous two weeks 25 percent of them had suffered depression and 17 percent had experienced anxiety.
What is more, 20 percent of all those asked had contemplated suicide or self-harm on several or all those days. For the first time the study also identified a link between depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and a likely increase in injury and illness. The factors associated with these mental states included violence and bullying, lack of job satisfaction, and not feeling valued. “This morning the report’s lead author personally briefed the ITF Seafarers’ Committee on the findings of this far-reaching and important study. It was a sobering occasion; the gravity of his team’s discoveries is evident,” Dave Heindel, Chair of the Seafarers’ Trust, commented. “They should be taken as a call to action by everyone in the shipping industry.”
4. Turnaround Time at major ports has come down by 23 hours: Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS Shipping.
20 Nov 2019 : Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, in a written reply to Rajya Sabha informed that the Government is continuously monitoring and striving to reduce the turnaround time of vessels at ports. A study has been conducted for benchmarking efficiency and productivity of major ports to bring them at par with the international standards.
Out of 116 port-wise action points identified in the study, 93 initiatives have already been completed resulting in a reduction of Turnaround Time at major ports from 82.32 hours in the year 2016-17 to 59.51 hours in the year 2018-19. Also, regarding the Government’s initiatives for promoting inland water transport in the country, the minister informed the house that 111 Inland waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) until now.
5. Three crew with fake certificates, ship detained, Greece.
19 Nov 2019 : Three crew of a general cargo ship ARMONIA were detained by Kavala Port Authority officials for possession of fake seaman certificates. It happened on November 18. The vessel was detained for investigation. She arrived from Koper Slovenia on November 13, next port of destination being Skikda Algeria.
6. Moradabad exporter arrested for Central GST fraud of Rs 28 crore, fake bills recovered.
19 Nov 2019 : In its ongoing crackdown on fake GST (Goods and Services Tax) invoices and Input Tax Credit (ITC) cases, the Customs and Central GST authority in Meerut arrested a Moradabad-based exporter of clutch plates and disc pads for fake invoices to the tune of Rs 28 crore and fraudulently availing ITC of around Rs 8 crore.
The exporter has been arrested and Rs 7.80 crore recovered from him. This is considered as one of the biggest individual cases of fake invoices under the GST regime in recent months after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Directorate General of GST Intelligence had in nationwide searches in September unearthed fake GST invoices of Rs 3,500 crore and fraudulent claims of over Rs 470 crore of Integrated GST (IGST).
The September crackdown covered exporters at 336 locations in 15 states. Yashovardhan Pathak, additional commissioner, Customs and Central GST, Meerut said the department has recovered entire amount of Rs 7.80 crore fraudulently claimed by the exporter and the investigation is still in progress after which penalty will be imposed on the accused.
7. APM Terminals launches global customer alerts solution.
19 Nov 2019 : In response to customer requests for real-time information about exceptional circumstances or disruptions affecting a terminal, APM Terminals has launched a global customer alert system. The system enables customers to subscribe for terminal alerts via SMS or email.
Terminals will only use the alerts function for severe issues that have clear implications for customers, including labour shortages, bad weather warnings, congestion at the port or delays with customs clearance. Where possible, the terminal will provide an estimated resolution time, links to further information sources – such as gate cameras or live vessel schedules – or when available, alternative solutions, such as extended free storage limits or longer gate opening times.
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