FBR issues tenders to select firms for effective cargo tracking, monitoring

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated the tendering process for new Expression of Interest (EOI) to select qualified companies to ensure that the newest technologies are employed at the earliest for effective cargo tracking and monitoring.

The FBR, in a statement issued here on Thursday, said that the present interim arrangement had been put in place a vibrant, risk-free and state-of-the-art technology-based new system.

The FBR stated that licence of the company tracking the cargo movement since 2013 was not terminated abruptly and without valid grounds. It was done after following the due process of law and on account of following charges: Outdated tracking technology; Frequent technical faults; Inability to perform live satellite tracking en-route but charging fee to the tune of Rs445 million and making windfall profits; Suspension of its operations due to cyber-attacks; Multiple cases were registered by various field formations on account of different violations; During the course of hearing, the TPL accepted that its devices were unable to provide satellite services and they send unnecessary or frivolous alerts.

The credentials of four companies, entrusted the task of tracking transit cargo, were technically evaluated and found eligible by the Licencing Committee. They were granted the licence under Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo Rules, but the same had to be cancelled in view of the court cases. The following steps have been taken to ensure safe transportation of transit & transhipment of cargo during the interim time:

(i). Installation of PMD devices on vehicles.

(ii). Movement of cargo in convoys under Customs escort from the port of arrival till the port of destination.

(iii). Selected Scanning of the cargo is also being done at both the ports of destination and arrival to guarantee the safety of cargo and provide deterrence against any possible pilferage incident.

(iv). A centralised Customs Control Room working 24/7 has been established for real time tracking and monitoring en-route vehicles.

(v). Effective surveillance of ATT/TP cargo by the field units of enforcement formations throughout the network.

The FBR has already initiated the tendering process for new EOI to select well qualified companies after competitive and transparent bidding process to ensure the newest technologies are deployed at the earliest for effective cargo tracking and monitoring.

The requirement of Container Surveillance Devices (CSDs) for the tracking companies has not been discontinued rather the new cargo tracking and monitoring system envisaged by FBR aims at utilizing the latest GSM and Satellite tracking technologies.