|
Sumatra hands Maersk 45-day suspension
2006-03-29 08:18:06
By Peter Tindwa
Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) has suspended Maersk Tanzania Limited for 45 days for allegedly violating shipping laws.
Sumatra Director-General Israel Sekirasa said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the suspension comes into effect on April 6.
Sekirasa said Maersk Tanzania Ltd was served with the suspension notice yesterday morning.
He added that the agency had contravened the Shipping Agency Act of 2002 by engaging in clearing and forwarding business.
’Our preliminary investigations have revealed that Maersk Tanzania Limited has a close relationship with Maersk Shipping Line (AP Moller Maersk Group of companies) through shareholding and directorship,’ Sekirasa said.
The Shipping Agency Act of 2002 prohibits a ship owner or ship leaser from owning a shipping agency, Sekirasa said.
He said that Maersk Tanzania Ltd had furnished Sumatra with false information in its application for shipping agency licence and in the process breached the Shipping Agency Act.
He, however, said that Maersk Tanzania Limited had been given 30 days to state why its licence should not be revoked.
|
