Andrew Henry (left), president of the Port Trailer Haulage Association, and Michael Bernard, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), are all smiles as they sign the memorandum of agreement between the two associations to work together in..

Truckers have less than a week to sign off on the new equipment interchange agreement and to acquire insurance to continue to haul equipment for members of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ).

As of March 3, 2008, truckers who do not sign the new agreement will not be permitted to haul equipment belonging to member companies of the SAJ and the shipping lines they represent.

The interchange agreement is the contract entered into between individual trucking companies and the shipping lines, which determines the responsibilities and liabilities of each party.

Under this new agreement, truckers are responsible for any damage or loss to equipment belonging to the shipping lines once they are hauled from the port and until they are returned.

Memorandum signed

Already, Port Trailer Haulage Association (PTHA) President Andrew Henry and SAJ President Michael Bernard have signed a memorandum of agreement on the matter. This will allow for the two associations to work towards satisfying the requirements of the United States Maritime Security Act and the International Ship and Port Security Code passed in 2004 by the International Maritime Organisation.

A new insurance policy will also take effect on March 3 that will see each container or other equipment appearing on a bill of lading attracting a fee of US$2 per round trip (including a container and a chassis) as a compensating premium for the cost of the insurance coverage.

Aim of new pact

The new interchange agreement acknowledges the costly and escalating loss, over several years, of containers and equipment owned by shipping lines and/or their agents and truckers in Jamaica. The aim is to improve the security of equipment used in the import/export trade. The memorandum of agreement was signed between the SAJ and the PTHA at the SAJ offices on January 30, following several months of intense discussions.

Truckers who need assistance to qualify may contact either James Levy of the SAJ at923-3491 ext 4928; or Beverley Beazer of the PTHAat 901-2358.