March 14, 2018 Letter from Head of the Manifest Department
(right to left)
Lebanese Republic
Customs Administration
Manifest Department
Archive no: 6/ي
Issuance No: 1956/م/ 2015
To be returned to: Head of Service
In reference to your referral no 1839/2018 dated February 21, 2018, we hereby submit the file of the “Rhosus” for your attention:
On June 27, 2014, the urgent matters judge in Beirut issued decision no: 429/2014 which authorized the refloating of the mentioned ship after transferring the cargo that was onboard to an appropriate place to store it. The merchandise was moved to Hangar 12 designated for the combustible and inflammable merchandise, according to entry voucher no: 353832 dated October 29, 2014, and it is still in the abovementioned warehouse to date.
In his ruling no 565/2014 dated September 1, 2014, the urgent matters judge in Beirut authorized the sailors onboard of the ship to return to their countries.
On January 26, 2015, the urgent matters judge in Beirut issued decision no 78/2015 pursuant to which an expert, Mrs. Mireille Moukarzel, was appointed to inspect the merchandise, a task she fulfilled, and she prepared a report concerning this.
In our referrals no 8602/م/ 2014 dated October 24, 2014 and May 9, 2015, and no: 18283/م/2015 dated February 1, 2016, we have proposed that you request that the urgent matters judge in Beirut authorize the re-exportation of the merchandise or handing it to the Lebanese Army given its hazardous nature and the catastrophe that might occur if it catches fire or explodes.
In letters no: 19320/2014 dated December 5, 2014, June 5, 2015 and May 20, 2016, the Directorate General of Customs asked the urgent matters judge in Beirut to request that the Maritime Agent re-export the merchandise or consider selling it to the “Lebanese Company for Explosive, Majid al-Shammas” after the Army Command stated that the Army has no need for it in their letter no: 13734/ت.ج./ technical, dated April 7, 2014.
On June 17, 2016, and in its letter no 19320/2014 to the Case Authority through the Ministry of Finance, the Directorate General of Customs reiterated its request to refer the letter to the Urgent Matters Judge in Beirut to request that the Maritime Agent re-export the merchandise immediately to ensure the safety of the port and those working there, or consider approving the sale of this quantity to the company specified in the aforementioned letter of the Army Command, and it reiterated its request in its letter no 22138/2015 dated October 13, 2016.
Therefore, and as per the above, and in order to avoid any liability that might arise from the ignition of the material, especially that summer is coming, we reiterate our proposal in our letter no:8602/م/2014, dated May 9, 2015, which requests getting the approval of the Urgent Matters Court in Beirut to decide the fate of the merchandise and provide us with the necessary guidance.
A copy of the entire file is hereto attached.
Beirut, in [blank]
First Controller in the Manifest Department
Nehme Brax
[signature]