The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has ordered the seizure of one of the tugboats of Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. for alleged misdeclaration/underdeclaration of the imported vessel.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Harbor Star said it received on August 20 the seizure order for MT Propus, a 157.89 GRT tugboat built in 1982.
In an emailed statement to PortCalls, Harbor Star said, “We believe and have been advised by counsel that the Order of Seizure issued by the Office of the District Collector of the Port of Limay-Bureau of Customs against Tug Propus is null and void.
“We already paid the taxes and duties for the importation of Tug Propus,” Harbor Star said, adding that as early as May 2014, the tugboat was cleared by BOC and was registered with the Maritime Industry Authority in the name of Harbor Star.
“As a clear indication of lack of due process, we never received from Customs an assessment as to the supposed deficiency (in) taxes and duties,” Harbor Star pointed out.
The listed tugboat operator said it is determined to “defend our position and exhaust all remedies available to protect our rights as valid owners of Tug Propus.”
“Our counsel has even placed on the table the option of filing a case before the Ombudsman for this irregular procedure,” it added.
Harbor Star said the seizure of Tug Propus “will not materially affect the operations and profits” of the company, adding that the tugboat is only one of the 40 tugs, vessels, and barges on its fleet.
“We are expecting the arrival before year-end of two more tugs that we have purchased.”
It earlier bared plans to expand its business locally and overseas, eyeing operations in Cebu, Iloilo, Surigao, General Santos and Dumaguete, as well as in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Myanmar.— Roumina Pablo
