The Hindu Business Line : Export containers pile up at Haldia dock

Shipments of exports in containers from Haldia dock have come to a standstill for the past two days, with the result an estimated 1,000 boxes are lying accumulated in the container parking yard (CPY).

The pile-up, it is feared, will increase as the boxes laden with exports keep on arriving at the dock even as not a single moves from CPY to the vessels.

The crisis has surfaced because the Haldia dock authorities failed to renew the contract for operation and maintenance of four RTGs (rubber tyre gantry cranes) in the dock. The contract with the existing firm came to end on Tuesday last.

Meanwhile, the dock authorities have floated a new tender for operation and maintenance of the RTGs but the finalisation of the fresh contract will take time. The existing contractor was requested by the dock authorities to continue operations for another three months. However, the firm expressed its inability to continue on the same terms and conditions and demanded 100 per cent rise in its remuneration.

Appeal to Ministry

Meanwhile, the Association of Shipping Interests in Calcutta (ASIC), the body of shipping lines and shipping agents, has appealed to the Shipping Ministry seeking its immediate intervention to bring the present stalemate.

ASIC has also drawn attention of the authorities concerned to various other problems facing the port users such as the shortage of river pilots and inadequate dredging in the Hooghly river. The pilot shortage has come to such a level that only one vessel is being called at Diamond Harbour for working against three normally, it is pointed out.

Related Stories:
ABG Haldia dock operations to be delayed