According to an HMM advisory dated 31 January, Qatar Terminal will take legal action to reinforce its policy on mandatory seals for import containers. The regulation applies to all containers discharged in Qatar and is effective immediately. “If a seal is found missing at the time of discharge, the terminal will not allow to attach any seals inside their premises and local Customs will take a legal action on the concerned party,” explained the advisory. Should a seal be missing, the terminal will notify the relevant party. On settlement of the penalty, the container will be released for delivery in the condition it was found. The amount of the penalty and who the concerned party would be, remain unclear. HMM clarified in its advisory that shippers, not carriers, are responsible for affixing a seal to a container.