Momentum Logistics (Momentum), the logistics division of Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator and logistics company, based in the UAE, held high-level discussions with the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) to explore solutions for streamlining the movement of goods between ports and free zones in the UAE.
Held at Gulftainer offices in Sharjah, the meeting drew the participation of Bubindren Sampath Kumar, Head of International Road Transport (TIR) and IRU Academy at ATCUAE, and Priyan John Bosco, Chief Operations Manager at ATCUAE. Iain Rawlinson, Group Commercial Director, attended the meeting on behalf of Gulftainer, while Martin Roberts, Transport Manager, Surendar Sridharan, Customer Service Executive, and Francis Delin, Planner, represented Momentum.
ATCUAE is an active member of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), a world transport organisation under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and subsequently mandated by the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime (FTA) as per the provisions of Federal Law No. 9 of 2011 and its executive regulations with regard to land transport. ATCUAE is recognised by the Federal Customs Authority (FCA) and the local customs authorities of the seven emirates as the sole issuing and guaranteeing entity of TIR Carnets for shipments via land and sea between the UAE and 74 TIR contracting parties across the globe.
The TIR system is a globally applicable international customs transit and guarantee scheme that enables the shipping of goods from the country of origin through transit countries to the country of destination in sealed load compartments that are controlled by customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised system. It is the easiest, safest and most reliable way to move goods across multiple international borders.
Momentum and ATCUAE discussed the prospect of introducing a system equivalent to the TIR Carnet for the UAE’s ports and free zones with the objective of facilitating trade processes. The move would enable companies to transport bonded cargo between national ports and free zones without the imposition of a customs duties security deposit, helping accelerate the movement of goods, as well as reduce the administrative and financial burden on each stakeholder.
On the occasion, Kumar said: “From a global perspective, we greatly appreciate IRU’s constructive efforts to expand the TIR system in the GCC region, and are grateful to our esteemed customs authorities for implementing the scheme in the UAE. An excellent choice in terms of import, export and transit customs regime, the system could save border waiting time, customs duties and tax guarantees for free zone companies and transport operators through coordinated customs management. With more than 45 free zones and counting, the expansion of the TIR system would facilitate trade and enable the UAE to enhance its ease of doing business ranking. We are proud to partner with Momentum as a leader in moving goods between ports, free zones and beyond.”
For his part, Rawlinson added: “The TIR Carnet has had a transformative effect on trade efficiencies between the UAE and the rest of the GCC region. A similar system for ports and free zones could result in considerable time and cost savings for traders, which could be passed on to the end user. Momentum is proud to join forces with ATCUAE in paving the way for significant enhancements within the local trade sector.”
