The Hindu Business Line : Kochi strike: Cargo diverted to other ports

The diversion
Around 130 TEUs of tea and 280 TEUs of coffee from Kochi have moved to the ports of New Mangalore, Chennai and Tuticorin and there will be more diversion if the strike continues.

Kochi , March 30

The ongoing strike by the container trailer crew at Cochin Port Trust has started adversely impacting the trade with cargo getting diverted to neighbouring ports.

Sources in the shipping fraternity said that there had been a diversion of around 1,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo from the port on account of the strike, which commenced on Sunday midnight. Around 130 TEUs of tea and 280 TEUs of coffee from Kochi have moved to the ports of New Mangalore, Chennai and Tuticorin and there will be more diversion if the strike continues. Besides, the port is likely to have a shortage of around 2,000 TEUs for the fiscal 2005-06 because of the strike. Moreover, most of the shipping lines have decided to delay their vessel calling at the port considering the prevailing situation in the port.

Confusion prevails

Meanwhile, confusion prevails in the port circles over the withdrawal of the strike after the two unions — the CITU and the CTTU — claimed that they were withdrawing from the strike following an agreement reached with the trailer owners' association. However, the BMS and the BKS unions said they were continuing with the strike and insisted for a written agreement from the association regarding wage hike. They even threatened to block the movement of trailers if the other two unions ply their vehicles.

The trailer owners' association officials said the CITU and CTTU unions had agreed for a temporary settlement as part of withdrawing from the strike. Based on the discussions, it was decided to constitute a co-ordination committee among association members, trade unions and crew before April 15 to find a permanent solution to the issue. As a temporary suggestion, it was also agreed to pay Rs 100 and Rs 50 to the trailer driver and cleaner, respectively.

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