27. Power of Board to order sea going vessel to use dock, wharves etc.
(1)When any dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty or pier or place of anchorage erected at any port or port approaches under the provisions of this Act has been completed with sufficient warehouses, sheds and appliances for receiving, landing or shipping goods or passengers from and upon sea going vessels, the Board may, after obtaining the approval of the Commissioner of Customs and by notification published in three consecutive issues, of the official Gazette, declare that such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage is ready for receiving landing and shipping or for landing or for shipping goods or passengers from and upon sea going vessels.Provided that, the Board shall ensure that prior to such notifications the provisions of the section 29 and 33 of the Customs Act, 1962 shall be complied and no imported goods shall be unloaded and no export goods shall be loaded at any place other than a place approved under clause (a) of section 8 of the Customs Act, 1962 for the unloading or loading of such goods, except with the permission of the proper officer.(2)As from the date of the publication of such notification for the third time, it shall be lawful for the Board from time to time, when there is room at such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage to order to come alongside of such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage for the purpose of landing and shipping goods or passengers or for landing or for shipping the same, any sea-going vessel within the port or port approaches which has not commenced to discharge goods or passengers or which being about to take in goods or passengers, has not commenced to do so:Provided that before making such order, the Board shall have regard as far as possible to the convenience of such vessel and of the shippers, in respect of the use of any particular dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage.
