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Container movement hit: A file photo of the Kochi Port.

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Nov. 29 The ongoing strike by all the trade unions at Cochin Port Trust has led to the diversion of two vessels as well as hampering the entire cargo handling operations in all the berths.

Sources in the shipping fraternity said that one container vessel, which was waiting at the outer channel of the port, had diverted to Colombo to discharge the cargo bound for Kochi. Likewise, a bauxite vessel – Mintho 18 – which was anchored at Q-5 berth had also sailed out from the port to Tuticorin on account of stoppage of cargo handling operations.

It is pointed out that the ship had arrived with only 1,800 tonnes of cargo and it has to unload about 400 tonnes. Sources pointed out that there is no justification in extending the strike outside the container terminal as it is a problem that should have been sorted out there itself.

The conciliatory talks convened by the Regional Labour Commissioner on Wednesday to find an amicable solution to the problem had also failed with the unions sticking to their stand. The leaders said that they are ready for review of settlement provided the IGT management process it through the provisions of law under the Industrial Dispute Act.

Mr Suresh Joseph, General Manager, DP World, said that there were no vessel operations from Wednesday night shift and three vessels are waiting in the outer channel. Besides, there are about 1,500 export containers lying in the wharf, which would result in huge financial loss to the trade on account of the ensuring Christmas season in the US and Europe.

The 1984 settlement raised by trade unions deals with only hooking and unhooking of boxes from rail wagons and it has nothing to do with the present system of where there is twist lock. However, the company is deploying gangs when trains with manual twist lock arrives in the port, he said.

The port is losing its credibility in the hinterland centres as there were about 16 instances of work stoppages since the company took over the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal, he said, adding that the terminal had only handled 16,500 teus in the last three months against 40,000 teus handled by Tuticorin Port and 90,000 teus by Chennai Port.

DP World has to handle a certain amount of cargo once it moves to Vallarpadam after developing the ICTT project. However, on account of these intermittent strikes, the company is not able to provide a better service to the trade. “We are considered to be absolutely an unreliable service provider,” he said.

Meanwhile, the port management in a circular to its employees said that the lightning strike is not justifiable as it adversely affected all port operations, port’s financial position and the reputation of the port. The port is at the bottom of productivity compared to other major ports.

The financial health is also poor and the port is finding it difficult to meet with the requirements of considering port pension fund for statutory payment of the workers, including pension payment and terminal payments.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Shipping

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