The Hindu Business Line : Trailer stir in Kerala: Govt help sought

The Port Chairman, Dr Jacob Thomas, appealed all the concerned parties including the State Government and the Union Shipping Secretary to intervene in the matter in evolving an amicable formula and facilitating smooth flow of containers to and from the port to avoid colossal loss.

He also urged the trailer operator associations to operate at least their vehicles carrying those commodities that fall within the prescribed weight limits so that a major portion could be taken out of the impasse.

The Chairman told Business Line that the port as well as exim trade in the hinterland is suffering with heavy loses as a consequence of the agitation and it is estimated that the port loses about Rs 25 lakh per day because of the disruption of operations. The exim trade in the hinterland is to the tune of Rs 48 crore per day and this has come to a grinding halt because of the agitation, he said.

At the same time, he felt that the Motor Vehicles Act as well as MV rules have to be amended by the Government to increase the weight limits prescribed therein in view of the main routes being brought to the international levels under various programmes.

With regard to port operations, the Chairman pointed out that loading and unloading has not been affected in the port so far.

A Colombo feeder vessel is discharging the boxes today and would load about 200 boxes, which are already inside the terminal. Similarly a Salalah feeder vessel would call at the port on Friday as per window scheme.

The space in the container terminal is totally choked due to non-delivery of import loads and empties. The CFS stuffed ad ICD containers are available for loading and no container trailer has brought any container by road or taken delivery from Tuesday, he added. However, there were also reports that some exporters had diverting their cargoes such as tea, garments etc to Tuticorin Port on expiry of the LC period date.

Likewise, importers especially cashew processing units in Kollam were forced to pay demurrage and line detention charges on account of piling of boxes carrying raw cashewnuts inside the wharves.

Sources in the shipping circles said that importers have to pay ground rent at the rate of $12 for 20 feet containers and $24 for 40 feet. The line detention charge is in the range of $7 dollars in the first seven days for 20 feet and $14 for 40 feet containers.

Meanwhile, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry as also the High Powered Standing Committee on the Kochi Port comprising all trade bodies in Kochi appealed the State Chief Minister and the Transport Minister to step in to ensure that a permanent and amicable solution to the issue as the strike has crippled the port operations.

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