The Hindu Business Line : Kolkata feeder operators to review trade surcharge

Responding to Kolkata Port Trust's request, Singapore-based Calfo (Calcutta Feeder Operators), the body of feeder lines offering sailings between the ports of Kolkata and Singapore, has decided to review the trade surcharge announced in the first week of December.

This was disclosed by Mr M.L. Meena, Chairman of Kolkata Port Trust, at the end of his meeting with Calfo representatives here on Friday.

Mr S.C. Lim, who is heading Calfo secretariat in Singapore, said the review would be undertaken as soon as possible, most probably in the first week of February. “The imposition of surcharge is no reflection on the functioning of Kolkata port,” Mr Lim observed. “After talking to the Kolkata port Chairman, we feel encouraged.”

The representatives of six Calfo members – BTL, ACL, Samudera Shipping, Sea Consortium, PACC and OEL, and three other non-Calfo members – Hartman, Hub Line and Far Shipping, among others, were present at the meeting.

The surcharge of $150/TEU became effective from the third week of December on all containerised shipments between the two ports.

Mr Meena also announced the formation of a five-member joint working group, comprising three representatives from Kolkata Port Trust and two from Calfo, to sort out the relevant issues. The working group would also promote Kolkata port in Singapore to attract more traffic. “A sizeable traffic from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which should have normally come to Kolkata port, has been diverted to west coast ports,” he said.

Mr Lim said the first meeting of the working group would be held soon, followed by meetings at a regular interval, at least once in a month.

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