The tender for the service of electronic tax stamps for containers passing through Guatemalan customs will no longer be carried out, meaning that several companies will be able to offer their services independently.
Last June the Superintendency of Tax Administration of Guatemala had convened an informative meeting for companies that were interested in the qualification process to provide the electronic tax stamp service.
In Guatemala, Santo Tomás de Castilla Port is putting out to tender the supply of 28 forklifts, 15 terminal-type truck heads, 9 platform trailers and 3 Reach Staker containers.
Although legal challenges remain, Quetzal Container Terminal has resumed its duties and received the first vessel, after nine months of no operations.
The auditor Alexander Aizenstatd, explained that the start of operations at the TCQ was due to the fact that to date the contract has not been canceled and therefore "there is no measure affecting its validity'.
The operator of the container terminal may have already informed customers and shipping companies that on March 9th it will be ready to start receiving the first ships.
In late January the Port of Quetzal (EPQ) gave approval for APM Terminals to start operations at the Quetzal Container Terminal, and now the company could be preparing to start operations from March 9.
While pressure grows in Guatemala for the contract with APM Terminals to be annulled, the US company American Ports has expressed interest in operating the port.
Following opposition on the part of Congress to the possibility of approving a bill put forward by the executive branch proposing the granting of a direct concession to APM Terminals, now the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGC) has recommended declaring the contract void and starting a new process.
The productive sectors are urging an agreement between the President and Congress of Guatemala to formalize the concession of the container terminal to APM Terminals.
Prensa.com reports that "...The awarding of the Quetzal Container Terminal (TCQ by its initials in Spanish), is in the eye of the storm because there is no agreement on what is the legal method to establish a new contract.The Executive has already sent the proposal for a direct award, but opposition deputies questioned the proposed mechanism, while the private sector is urging both agencies to seek an early solution to the problem. "
The regulations in force for Central America allow two methods of certifying the weight of cargo moving through ports in the region.
The new regulations in force since July 1 oblige entities transportingcontainerized cargo by sea tocertify its weight under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The problem cited by exporters is the increase this will have on costs, in addition to infrastructure problems faced in some ports in the region.
Compensation of $43 million to the State and a concession for 21 years for APM Terminals are part of the agreement made with the foreign company for it to operate the container terminal.
According to an article on Publinews, Anabella Morfin, Attorney General of the Nation, explained that"...APM and EPQ pledged to desist with the courts with their efforts to obtain a declaration of voiding due to incompetence, in order to streamline the operation of TCQ. "
Following the authorization granted to TCQ by the Superintendency of Tax Administration to function as a temporary customs warehouse, its entry into operations for October has been announced.
Anarticle in Prensalibre.comreports that"...The auditor of the TCQ, Alexander Aizenstatd said that with the authorization published in Diario de Centro América on Friday, an intermediate stage has started where there a link is formed with the authorities of the SAT, in order to subsequently ask for the entry into operation.'Closer ties have now been made with the National Port Commission for certification and following this a certification will be requested for the Marina.The plan is for the TCQ to be operational at the end of September, or beginning of October. ' "
Maersk Group subsidiary have agreed to indemnify the state $43 million and sign a new concession contract in order to operate the Quetzal Container Terminal.
The agreement suggested by the auditor of the Quetzal Container Terminal (TCQ by its initials in Spanish), Alexander Aizenstatd, must be approved by the Guatemalan Congress.
Reports in Nicaragua indicate that only five companies managed to obtain the certificate which will be needed from July 1st to export by sea.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP warned that a week before the rule takes effect, only five exporting companies have carried out the procedures needed to certify the weight of marine cargo when the rule goes into effect.
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