'DAMMAM DHAHRAN PROJECT' [‎8r] (15/26)

Kotes on visit to Dhahran ~ 26tli/27tli Noveiaber, 1950#
I called upon Lr* Duncan in cnarge of P. & S # where I niet
Mr. Stepney, his Assistant manager, and had a general discussion
wher A I endeavoured to elicit some information as to the future
tonnages likely to he coming forward and also what their lighterage
requirements are likely to he, hut I could get very little iniormation.
r. Duncan s;^oke of the difficulty they are now experiencing with
Saudi Customs at Dammam and showed me the translation of a recent
letter dated 16th November, 1950 from the Directorate of nasa
Customs wherein they state that in future they require a harge
manifest well in advance giving particulars of all cargo lightered
from ships at Daflii«am to Has Tanura. This of course is quite imposs
ible as we cannot state beforehand in which particular craft the
cargo ie to he lightered to Has Tanuar will he barged. This can
only he ascertained as and when the barges are loaded alongside the
snip and in respect of which documentation has been provided hiinserto
in the shape of CA.17s.
I also called on r. Mackenzie who has taken r, Webster*s
place te. *porarily, the latter now being in : ishab where he is taking
over from Tapline, who will now disappear from that area. hr.
i ackenzie showed me a letter from Lloyds Agents at Lanrain asking
for particulars of the •. orth Pier at Has Tanura which infonaation is
required by Lloyds. Mr. J ackenzie said that they are not permitted
to give us this information but showed me a copy of their letter
to i r. H.j. Thompson who is in charge of Public relations, lew York,
and who lias b en asked to supply the particulars.
With r. Fraser, Claims Arbitrator, I visited Dammam where
I called on hr. Gildae and Capt. Labb(the latter has replaced Capt.
Allan). They are all very concerned at the attitude of the Saudi
Customs which is causing tremendous delays on all sides. Mr. Fraser
informs me that Customs are insisting on checks at the ship’s side
and again at Dammam, and that they require each mark to be accounted
for separately. Aramco have five main destinations to which their
cargo goes forward and it appears that the ship will be used as a
/sorting depot