The Hindu Business Line : TAMP approves IGT plan to levy stevedoring charges

The onboard stevedoring activity is one of the services identified under Section 42 of the Major Port Trust Act and hence the rate has to be approved by TAMP.

A VIEW of the Rajiv Gandhi Containter Terminal

Kochi , June 8

The Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) has approved the proposal of India Gateway Terminal (IGT) to levy charges for stowage planning, lashing/unlashing of containers and supervision for services for its operations at the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal.

IGT has proposed $8 per container for foreign vessels and Rs 350 per container for coastal vessels with retrospective effect from April 2005.

A TAMP notification here said the order to this effect would remain valid for a period of three years till March 31, 2008. The onboard stevedoring activity is one of the services identified under Section 42 of the Major Port Trust Act and hence the rate has to be approved by TAMP.

TAMP, while passing the order to fix the tariff for container handling operations by IGT in October last, had directed it to file a proposal for fixing charges for onboard stevedoring, lashing/unlashing, stowage planning etc. In this background, IGT has filed the proposal before TAMP.

IGT, in its initial proposal filed for fixation of tariff for container-related services, had not included the tariff item relating to onboard stevedoring charges.

`Tariff proposal in order'

The Kochi port has also confirmed that the tariff proposal of IGT is in order and that the cost elements considered in the instant proposal were not included in its initial proposal for tariff fixation. When the port handled containers prior to handing over the operations to IGT, it was not providing the services relating to stowage planning and lashing/unlashing. The private stevedores appointed by the steamer agents and shipping lines were providing the service by deploying the general purpose mazdoor and supervisors from the United Stevedores Association pool.

CSLA stance

The Container Shipping Lines Association (CSLA) has also informed that stowage planning and leashing/unlashing form an integral part of container handling operations and is in practice in container terminals like Chennai Container Terminal Ltd, Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal, Vizakha Container Terminal etc. However, CSLA has objected to levy of this charge in dollar terms.

TAMP, in its order, mentioned that the composite box rate for container handling, which includes onboard stevedoring, was prescribed in dollar denomination at many of the other private terminals also and the objection raised by CSLA was not found to be relevant. Some of the users have also objected to the inclusion of stowage charge and supervision charge in the proposed onboard stevedoring charge. IGT, however, clarified that the lines were earlier individually engaging the services of terminal operators, tally clerks, shipside supervisors and surveyors etc.