The Hindu Business Line : Vizag Seaport allowed to levy interim tariff

VIZAG Seaport Ltd (VSL), a consortium led by Gammon India Ltd, has secured approval from the Tariff Authority for Major Ports to levy an interim tariff at 75 per cent of the rates prescribed in the scale of rates of the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) for operating two multi-purpose cargo berths at the port.

The interim arrangement will be valid for three months subject to the VSL filing a comprehensive tariff proposal for fixation of final rates by July 26.

"The interim tariff arrangement shall automatically lapse on July 26 if a comprehensive tariff proposal supported by all relevant details is not filed by the VSL within the stipulated date," the tariff authority said in a gazette notification issued last week.

VSL had signed a licence agreement with Visakhapatnam Port Trust in November 2001 for construction, operation, management and maintenance of two multi purpose berths in the northern arm of the inner harbour at VPT for handling coal, limestone, rock phosphate, sulphur and other bulk cargo/general cargo on a build, operate and transfer basis. The private berths began operations early this month.