• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Port Info

• Ships in Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• Business Line
• The Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

Our Bureau

Kochi , June 30

THE Indian Coir Association has urged India Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd (IGTPL), a subsidiary floated by Dubai Ports International for container terminal operations at Kochi Port, to reinstate the special status enjoyed by coir for low port tariffs.

Speaking at the 49th annual general meeting of the Association, the Chairman, Mr Mathew Joseph, pointed out that coir products enjoyed a special commodity status for availing lower port tariffs before containerisation came into force in Kochi Port. However, after containerisation, coir has also been charged container-wise on a par with other commodities.

He pointed out that the export of coir and other natural fibre products supports the port by over 30 per cent of its export volume. The association, therefore, requested the terminal operator to reinstate the facility by considering the nature of this particular commodity. Even several shipping lines are offering their freight rates with due consideration to coir and coir products, he added.

Coir and coir products are a "high volume - low value cargo" affecting costs significantly, even when a marginal increase of Rs 100 is effected. Ultimately, the cargo may be lost in favour of nearby ports such as Tuticorin and the coir industry in Kerala would definitely suffer, he said.

The Chairman said that half a million families earn their livelihood from the traditional coir industry. Moreover, they have been the lowest wage earners in the State for many decades. He hoped that the taking over of the container terminal by IGTPL would change the prospects of exports of not only coir and coir products, but also all commodities from Kerala through Kochi Port.

He called upon the Dubai Port authorities for an early commencement of the International Container Terminal at Vallarpadam, as it would help exporters in saving time and reducing freight charges on their shipment.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Frankfinn airhostess institute proposes six overseas centres

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line