The Hindu Business Line : Kolkata port moots `one port one rate' proposal

If the current trend is any indication, the KDS might end this fiscal with a throughput of about 2.4-2.5 lakh TEUs compared to 2.03 lakh TEUs in 2005-06.

Kolkata , Nov. 27

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has forwarded to the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) proposals which, if and when cleared, will remove the present traffic differentials between the two dock systems, namely the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), of the same port. "We are striving towards `one port one rate' scenario", said a KoPT spokesman. The present differentials in tariffs have been the sources of much unpleasantness among not only the users of the port but also those employed in the two dock systems. For example, as it is often alleged, the drastic reduction of container handling charges, in the name of rationalisation of rates, in the KDS has boosted the container traffic but only at the cost of the HDC, which, being unable to match the KDS rates, experienced drop in container throughput.

Growth graph

Thus, between April and October this year, the KDS posted 17 per cent growth in container throughput compared to the same period last year while the HDC posted a decline. If the current trend is any indication, the KDS might end this fiscal with a throughput of about 2.4 lakh-2.5 lakh TEUs compared to 2.03 lakh TEUs in 2005-06, while the HDC could, at best, hope to maintain the last year's level of about 1.10 lakh TEUs.

Similarly, it is also felt, there is no reason why smaller vessels of the capacity of less than 10,000 dwt each should call at the HDC at all. These vessels should ideally call only at the KDS. However, this not being so at present, smaller vessels keep calling at the HDC, throwing up the congestion and other problems at the dock and causing concern to the port authorities.

Rationalisation of rates

Enquiries reveal that the proposed overall rationalisation of rates for the two dock systems will not entail any major upward revision of the tariffs. There might be slight increases under a few heads but there will be also reduction in respect of others such that the port's overall cash flow remains unchanged.

However, what has been upsetting for the port authorities is the delay on the part of TAMP to clear the proposals.

The proposals were originally mooted last year and TAMP held the hearing early this year.

More than six months have elapsed since then but nothing has happened. TAMP keeps on seeking more and more clarifications from the port authorities, it is learnt.