The Hindu Business Line : Kochi port cuts box handling charges

The Cochin Port Trust has announced major reductions in various container handling charges to attract more cargo, especially those that were diverted to neighbouring ports.

The decision to this effect comes in the wake of the recommendations of a committee to explore and suggest ways to reduce the cost of container handling at the port. The committee had submitted its report after studying the various components going into the cargo handling activity and their costs.

On reefer export containers, there will be a cost reduction of Rs 2,900 on a 20 feet container and Rs 3,800 in the case of a 40 feet container. On other containers too, there will be reductions on various components ranging from Rs 150 to Rs 300.

Recently, the Cochin Steamer Agents Association had brought down the cess on house stuffed and de-stuffed containers from Rs 400 to Rs 200 for 20-ft containers and from Rs 600 to Rs 300 for 40-ft containers.

The association had also agreed to further bring it down by 50 per cent.

The Port Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, said the recent improvements in the overall productivity of the port had enabled various organisations to reduce cargo handling charges and it is expected that more reductions could be possible in case of further improvement in productivity.

The decision to reduce the charges was taken at a joint meeting, which was attended by the representatives of labour unions, the Stevedores Association, Customs House Agents Association, Steamer Agents and India Gateway Terminal. As a joint effort of all stakeholders of the port, the development is seen as a landmark achievement, said Mr Ramachandran. The setting up on the joint committee to explore reduction in cargo handling charges was based on suggestions made by one of the trade unions during a joint consultative meeting of the management and the unions, he added.

The Chairman also called upon the unions to make sincere efforts towards reducing certain other hidden costs and also to work towards achieving total transparency in cost related matters. He requested all port users and stakeholders to extend all help to the port administration in eliminating corruption that goes under the name of `ghost money'. Ruthless action will be taken against persons seen indulging in corrupt practices, he warned.