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A file picture of container movement at Kochi Port.

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Aug. 19 Shipping Lines in Kochi are up in arms against the decision of the container terminal operator to shift import containers, which are lying in the terminal for more than 15 days, to a private container freight station (CFS) to avoid congestion in the terminal.

Sources in the shipping fraternity said the terminal was facing heavy congestion due to the trailer crew strike last week. It is pointed out that around 6,000 teus are lying inside the terminal as against the capacity of 4,000 teus. The arrival of more import consignments during the strike period had worsened the situation.

It is alleged that the terminal operator had not taken concurrence of the lines for shifting import consignments to the private CFS on the outskirts of the city. This is against rules as additional costs will have to be borne by the lines or by the consignees. As the documents of an import container stipulate that it should be delivered in Kochi, it cannot be moved to a private CFS outside the port limits, they said.

Besides, these containers are not eligible for insurance claims, if they met with an accident during the shifting to the private CFS, which is 20 km away from the port area. The terminal operator can move the containers to the nearby Concor Yard in the Willigndon Island as there will not be any additional costs, said sources.

Refuting these allegations, Mr Suresh Joseph, General Manager, DP World, said that the company had asked the lines concerned to shift containers other than raw cashew imports to any private CFS in view of the congestion faced in the terminal.

There are about 4,200 teus lying in the terminal and there would be a cascading effect if more numbers of import consignment arrived.

The congestion faced by the terminal is only because of the 3-day strike by trailer crew followed by holidays on second Saturday and a public holiday.

However, DP World had been able to move 600 teus to the nearby port’s CFS to ease the situation. If the shipping lines are not willing to cooperate, he said there is no other alternative but to stop all the shipping operations to clear the cargo, which will adversely affect the entire trade.

It is a normal practice in neighbouring ports to move import consignments to private CFS to avoid congestion as private container freight stations are considered to be an extension to the port.

On the costs involved in the shifting, he said it would be the least to the customer.

The company will also ensure safety during delivery and the custodian is responsible for any damages to the cargo during the shifting, he added.

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