GAZA LOGISTICS CLUSTER

Transcription

1 Last Updated 14 February 2009 Overview This document provides an overview of the transport and logistics services being offered by the Logistics Cluster to all humanitarian actors, for the coordinated movement of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The objective of the implementation of these services is to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance through various corridors in an efficient, coordinated manner which will also facilitate prioritisation by the Humanitarian Country Team. These services will not be offered beyond 14 th April 2009 and maybe withdrawn before this date, in part or in full, for the following reasons: - Changes in the situation on the ground - No longer a perceived need for prioritisation, facilitation or/and coordination - Funding constraints This document will be updated as the situation on the ground evolves and as the available logistics options change. Please Note: All delivery of humanitarian items into the Gaza Strip is subject to clearance by the Israeli Authorities. Humanitarian Actors are not obliged to use these logistics services. However, it is strongly felt that a common and coordinated approach to most efficiently meet the needs of beneficiaries is of utmost importance.

2 (1) Logistics Cluster Services Available: Services available on cost recovery basis: Transport from West Bank hub to Gaza Transport from Jerusalem hub to Gaza Transport from Ashqelon hub to Gaza Transport from Nitzana (ex customs) to Gaza for cargo passing through the El Arish Staging Areas, Egypt. All of the above services include liaison with Israeli Authorities (Coordination Office for Government Activities in the Territories) for crossing into the Gaza Strip. Services Available at no cost to user: Temporary storage and palletisation at Staging Area at El Arish Segregation of medicines and medical supplies from other items to ensure smooth crossing of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. Please note: The Logistics Cluster is not offering services to move cargo across the Raffah Crossing. However, for more information on the Raffah Crossing please go to All services are currently operating on a 7 days per week basis. However please be aware the crossing points into Gaza may not be open on Saturdays. 2

3 (2) How to Access the Services: All organisations wanting to make use of the above services must submit an official Transport Request Letter using the template found The letter confirms understanding of these SOPs and provides details of those staff authorised to submit Cargo Movement Requests. Individual requests for movement of cargo are to be made using the Cargo Movement Request (CMR) template available at The point of contact for all enquiries and the submission of CMRs is Receipt of CMR will be confirmed by return . The CMR must include the appropriate Rishimon number(s) if the cargo has been, or is in the process of being, imported into Israel. (Please see footnote on the CMR template for an explanation of Rishimon number). Each CMR must be accompanied by a fully detailed packing list detailing all of the contents, including: - Details of the components of kits - Detailed list of contents of food parcels. - Detailed specifications of all drugs and chemicals etc This information is required when requesting permission from the Israeli Authorities for cargo to cross into Gaza. For information on how to fill out the CMR please see After the details of the CMR have been checked by the Logistics Cluster the User will be informed by that the CMR has been accepted for further processing. (3) Choice of Hub Cargo coming from the port of Ashdod should be requested for delivery into the WFP Ashqelon Hub. Cargo coming from the Ben Gurian Airport should be requested for delivery into the WFP Ashqelon Hub. Cargo already in the West Bank should be requested for delivery into the UNRWA Beituniya Hub in the West Bank. Cargo in the Jerusalem area should be requested for delivery in to the UNRWA Jerusalem Hub. 3

4 (4) Prioritisation and Calling Forward of Cargo After a CMR is submitted to the Logistics Cluster, the User will be advised when to deliver their cargo to the requested hub. The calling forward of User s cargo will be based on the priorities set by the Humanitarian Country Team. If User cargo is prioritised, and assuming crossings points into Gaza are functioning properly, a call forward for delivery to the hub could be expected hours after the acceptance of the CMR, with final delivery in another 48 hours. These delivery leadtimes are clearly indicative and are subject to change. For further information on the prioritisation process please go to (5) Conditions of Service Cost Recovery Other than the services of the El Arish staging area, the services of the Logistics Cluster are carried out on a cost recovery basis. The cost of services is as per the Logistics cluster schedule of rates Please see Annex 1. These rates are subject to change Any additional costs incurred will be charged to the User - please see section (11). All rates are per pallet space transported. Submission of a CMR is considered as acceptance of the published schedule of rates. No pro-forma invoices will be issued. Users will be invoiced by WFP on behalf of the Logistics Cluster. Invoices will be in local currency Shekels Payment is due within 15 days of receipt of invoice. CMRs from Users with invoice payments more than 15 days overdue will not have CMRs accepted. 4

5 (6) Conditions of Service Liability When providing services under the SOPs, UNRWA, WFP, the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Logistics Cluster act as agents for the Service Users. All contracts are entered into on behalf the Service Users. UNRWA, WFP, the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Logistics Cluster assume no responsibility for any loss or damage to Goods carried or stored under the SOPs. Service Users are responsible for making adequate arrangements for the insurance of their goods. UNRWA, WFP, the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Logistics Cluster undertake the services in good faith and will ensure that the services are carried out with due diligence. UNRWA, WFP and the Logistics Cluster will take all reasonable measures to deduct from payable invoices the value of any loss or damage to the Goods for which a Service Provider is contractually responsible. Any monies recovered through deduction will be paid back to the Service Users. UNRWA, WFP and the Logistics Cluster assume no responsibility for amounts which cannot be recovered but will extend their assistance to the Service Users / their Insurers with regard to any reasonable recovery action that they may contemplate at their own costs and risks. (7) Cargo Packaging Requirements All cargo being delivered into a hub or staging area must be clearly marked with the organisation s name, and preferable also CMR number. UNRWA West Bank Hub and Jerusalem Hub All cargo, except mattresses, must be received palletised Maximum pallet height of 1.6m (inc. the pallet) Maximum weight of the pallet 1.2mtn Maximum size of pallet footprint is 1.2m x 1.0m WFP Ashqelon Hub Cargo can be received loose, or palletised according to the above specifications. 5

6 El Arish Staging Area Cargo can be received loose, or palletised according to the above specifications. Nitzana (ex Customs) Cargo for onwards transport from Nitzana must have passed through the El Arish Staging Area for appropriate palletisation and pallet numbering. Cargo that has not passed through the El Arish Staging Area cannot be accepted for onwards transportation into Gaza (8) Large and Over-Sized Items Logistics Cluster rates are based on the number of pallet spaces required to move the cargo If items are large, long, over-sized etc (eg piping, mattresses, tent poles etc) and overhang the footprint of the pallet, users will be charged for the number of pallet spaces occupied by the cargo and not the number of pallets. (9) Hazardous Goods and Temperature-Controlled Items Logistics Cluster is not able to accept hazardous goods for transportation into Gaza Logistics Cluster is not in a position to offer temperature controlled transport or storage. (10) Re-palletisation in Hubs Cargo crossing through all crossing points into Gaza must be palletised. The standard of palletisation must be high in order to withstand the numerous loadings and off-loadings that will take place as the cargo 6

7 moves through multiple back-to-back loading operations and security checks. Many suppliers and transporters operating in the region use low quality pallets and/or stack and shrink wrap the pallets poorly. This results in high numbers of pallets breakages, damages and losses during transit and delays and congestion at the crossing points into Gaza. In order to protect User s cargo from loss or damage, and to ensure no delays at crossing points, the Logistics Cluster needs to ensure a consistently high standard of palletisation. If cargo is poorly palletised on receipt at a hub, or if the pallets exceed the maximum height and weight limits given above, your cargo will be repalletised. If the wooden pallet itself is of poor quality, it will be replaced and the User will be charged for the replacement pallet as per the schedule of rates. All wooden pallets, whether supplied by the User or the Hub, remain the property of the User at the final delivery point inside the Gaza Strip. (11) Deliveries to Final Destination inside Gaza Consignments in full truckloads can be delivered to a specified address inside Gaza. The latest delivery to consignee warehouses will take place by 21:30h. Any remaining cargo will be delivered the following morning. The number of pallet spaces per truck varies however the average number is 28. Delivery of full truck loads includes the breakdown of pallets and stacking of cargo in the User s premises Users are responsible for alerting the consignee at the final delivery point of cargo delivery to facilitate a prompt handover Consignments of less than a full truckload will be delivered to transit hubs inside Gaza. Users will be responsible for collecting their cargo from transit hubs. Loading of pallets will be done by the hub. 7

8 A Cargo Release Order signed by an authorised person (User or final consignee) is needed before cargo will be handed over by the Transit Hub Staff to a transporter. For a template Cargo Release Order please see If cargo remains in a transit hub in Gaza for longer than 72 hours, Users will be charged for storage. (12) Additional Costs that May be Incurred Any additional or unexpected costs will be charged to the User. Examples of such costs are: Truck detention charges incurred if the crossing points are unexpectedly closed by the authorities Truck detention charges incurred if cargo is denied crossing at crossing points by the authorities Additional transport costs incurred to return pallets to hubs if the cargo is denied crossing at crossing points by the authorities If cargo has to be returned to a hub due to rejection at the crossing point, Users will be notified and responsible for promptly collecting the cargo. Truck detention charges incurred if no one is available to receive cargo delivered to final destinations within Gaza Additional storage charges incurred at Nitzana if border crossing approvals are denied by the authorities, or if border crossing is unexpectedly closed Rates include the current fees charged by the Israeli Authorities for passing through the crossing points. If these fees are increased the increase will be passed onto Users. Any other additional costs incurred due to circumstances beyond the control of the Logistics Cluster and/or the Service Providers (13) Cargo Updates and Enquiries: All enquiries on the status of cargo call forwards and cargo deliveries should be made by to gaza.cargo@logcluster.org Please do not make such enquiries by telephone. 8

9 (14) Hub Address Details UNRWA West Bank Hub Beitunya UNRWA Jerusalem Hub Ammunition Hill (Givat Ha atochmoshet) Zalman Sharagi St. 21 Sheikh Jarah Neighbourhood East Jerusalem WFP Ashqelon Hub Ashqelon Industrial Zone Ashqelon El Arish Staging Area c/- WFP Warehouse El Arish 9

10 Overview of Cargo Movement Process From UNRWA Hubs in West Bank and Jerusalem to Gaza (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Transport from West Bank Hub to Jerusalem Hub by UNRWA Palletisation by UNRWA at the Jerusalem Hub Crossing into the Gaza Strip at Kerem Shalom facilitated by the Logistics Cluster Transport from Jerusalem Hub to Gaza by WFP contracted transport From WFP Ashqelon Hubs to Gaza (i) (ii) (iii) Palletisation by WFP contractor at the Ashqelon Hub Crossing into the Gaza Strip at Kerem Shalom facilitated by the Logistics Cluster Transport from Jerusalem Hub to Gaza by WFP contracted transport Detailed Process of Cargo Movement from West Bank and Israel: o User submits CMR and detailed packing list to the Logistics Cluster Jerusalem dedicated address gaza.cargo@logcluster.org o Logistics Cluster will acknowledge receipt of the CMR by return . o Logistics Cluster Jerusalem checks CMR and resolves any queries with User. o Once the CMR has been checked the User will be notified that the CMR has been accepted for further processing. o If checking of the CMR results in any amendments, a copy of the amended CMR should be returned to the user. o Logistics Cluster Jerusalem forwards CMRs to Logistics Cluster UNRWA/WFP on the basis of priorities set by the Humanitarian Country Team o Logistics Cluster contacts the user to advise them of the time and date they should deliver the cargo to the UNRWA or WFP hub o User delivers cargo to UNRWA or WFP hub with copy of the associated CMR(s) as per time slot given. 10

11 o For delivery of cargo into the UNRWA hubs, both in West Bank and Jerusalem, the cargo must be palletised (except for mattresses). Maximum height 1.6m (inc. the pallet), maximum weight 1.2mtn and maximum footprint 1.0 x 1.2m o For the delivery of cargo into the WFP hub the cargo can be delivered loose, or palletised according to the specifications above. o Cargo deposited at the UNRWA West Bank Hub is transported by UNRWA on UN trucks to UNRWA Jerusalem hub. o Now the cargo is in either the UNWRA Jerusalem Hub or WFP Ashqelon Hub. It is then palletised or re-palletised, if required, to the required standard and assigned in truckloads by final destination. o Each pallet is labelled with a Logistics Cluster sticker with a unique identifying number. o Destinations with less than a full truckload while be re-consigned for delivery to a Gazan Logistics Cluster transit hub, if a transit hub is not already indicated as the delivery point on the CMR. o Logistics Cluster forwards truck cargo details to COGAT, as part of the consolidated daily request for all hubs/points of origin, to request approval to cross the border into Gaza o Trucks loaded and despatched to the Kerem Shalom crossing point and pass through the double back to back operation. o Cargo is delivered to final delivery point if a full truckload, or to a Cluster transit hub if it is less than a full truckload. o Full truckload deliveries to final destination include offloading and stacking (pallets broken down) in consignee s premises. o For deliveries to transit hubs, offloading is included but pallets are not broken down. o Users with cargo delivered to transit hubs arrange their own transport to remove their cargo from the hub. Loading of pallets will be done by the hub. o A Cargo Release Order signed by an authorised person (User or final consignee) is needed before cargo will be handed over by the Transit Hub Staff to a transporter. o If cargo remains in the transit hub for longer than 72 hours the user is charged for storage. 11

12 From Nitzana (ex Customs) to Gaza for Cargo Passing Through the El Arish Staging Area (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (v) Transit storage and palletisation in the El Arish Staging Area (Staging Area jointly operated by WFP and the Egyptian Red Crescent) at no cost to Logistics Cluster Users. Transport from El Arish to Al Aouga arranged by the owner of the cargo Border Crossing formalities from Al Aouga, Egypt into Nitzana, Israel arranged by the owner of the cargo. Transport from Nitzana by WFP contracted transporter Border crossing at Kerem Shalom facilitated by the Logistics Cluster Transport from Jerusalem Hub to Gaza by WFP Contracted transport Detailed Process of Cargo Movement from Egypt via Nitzana Border Crossing: o User submits CMR and detailed packing list to the Logistics Cluster Jerusalem dedicated address gaza.cargo@logcluster.org o Logistics Cluster will acknowledge receipt of the CMR by return . o Logistics Cluster Jerusalem checks CMR and resolves any queries with User o Once the CMR has been checked the User will be notified that the CMR has been accepted for further processing. o If checking of the CMR results in any amendments, a copy of the amended CMR should be returned to the user. o Logistics Cluster Jerusalem forwards CMRs to Logistics Cluster El Arish on the basis of priorities set by the Humanitarian Country Team o Logistics Cluster contacts the User to advise them when they should deliver the cargo to the El Arish Staging Area. In most cases it will be the following day. o User delivers cargo to Staging Area with copy of the associated CMR(s), detailed packing list, commercial invoice and, for food only, certificate certifying fitness for human consumption. o The cargo can be delivered loose, or palletised according to the following specifications maximum height of 1.6m, maximum weight of 1.2 mtn and footprint not exceeding 1.0 x 1.2m. o Cargo is offloaded, and palletised/re-palletised (as required) to the required standard. 12

13 o Each pallet is labelled with a unique identifying number. o When the User has identified a transporter to move the cargo to the Israeli border, the User completes a signed Cargo Release Order to authorise the release of the cargo from the Staging Area. o Logistics Cluster El Arish prepares a despatch advice which is sent to the Logistics Cluster in Jerusalem. o The commercial transporter contracted by the cargo owner arrives at the Egypt-Israeli border. o Cargo is customs cleared as per arrangements made by the cargo owner o The Logistics Cluster Officer stationed in Nitzana liaises with the border officials to know when the cargo has arrived at the Egypt-Israeli border. o When the pallets clear customs they are forwarded to warehouse. Actual storage costs will be charged to the user. o Logistics Cluster forwards truck cargo details to COGAT, as part of the consolidated daily request for all hubs/points of origin, to request approval to cross into Gaza o Cargo is delivered into Gaza by WFP contracted transporter o Cargo is delivered to final delivery point if a full truckload, or to a Cluster transit hub if it is less than a full truckload. o Full truckload deliveries to final destination include offloading and stacking (pallets broken down) o For deliveries to transit hubs offloading is included but pallets are not broken down. o Users with cargo delivered to transit hubs arrange their own transport to remove their cargo from the hub. Loading of pallets will be done by the hub. o A Cargo Release Order signed by an authorised person (User or final consignee) is needed before cargo will be handed over by the Transit Hub Staff to a transporter. o If cargo remains in the transit hub for longer than 72 hours the user is charged for storage. 13

14 Annex 1 - Schedule of Rates Effective 10 th February 2009 Service Includes Price Per Pallet Space - NIS Transport from UNRWA Hub, West Bank to Gaza - offloading at UNRWA Hub, West Bank - Transport to UNRWA Hub, Jerusalem - palletisation and wrapping - or repalletisation and wrapping if required transport to Gaza including crossing authorisation and crossing fees - Offload truck and stacking of cargo in destination warehouse - Provision of new pallet if required 36 Transport from UNRWA Hub, Jerusalem to Gaza - offloading at UNRWA Hub, Jerusalem - palletisation and wrapping - or repalletisation and wrapping if required - transport to Gaza including crossing authorisation and crossing fees Offload truck and stacking of cargo in destination warehouse - Provision of new pallet if required 36 Transport from WFP Hub, Ashqelon to Gaza - offloading at WFP Hub, Ashqelon - palletisation and wrapping - or repalletisation and wrapping if required transport to Gaza including crossing authorisation and crossing fees - Offload truck and stacking of cargo in destination warehouse - Provision of new pallet if required 22 Temporary Storage and Palletisation at El Arish Staging Areas Transport from Nitzana (ex customs) to Gaza for cargo passing through the El Arish Staging Areas, Egypt. - offloading at El Arish Staging Area - palletisation and wrapping - or repalletisation and wrapping if required - segregation of medical and non medical items - Loading of truck for despatch - transport to Gaza including crossing authorisation and crossing fees - Offload truck and stacking of cargo in destination warehouse Temporary Storage in Gaza Transit Hub - Storage - Loading of pallets when cargo is collected. - First 72 hours at no cost Truck Detention Charges These prices are subject to change. Free to User 190 NIS 4 / pallet space / day NIS 35 / pallet space / day