The Hindu Business Line : ‘Allied depts could help Cochin Port more’

Many port users feel the services rendered by allied departments, such as the Customs, the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), and so on, are negatively affecting the image of the port.

Though many appreciated the efforts taken by the port management to achieve better growth by attracting cargo, they also charged that Customs as well as MMD are not taking any positive stand in this regard and are sticking to the rule-book framed in the 1950s and 1960s while carrying out routine inspections in ships calling at Kochi port.

However, departments in the neighbouring ports are extending a helping hand to port managements with a pro-active approach, thereby indirectly helping the ports attract a sizeable portion of the cargo.

Such a positive approach towards the exim trade in Kochi can also help the port management to improve its performance as well as standing among the major ports, sources in the shipping fraternity said.

The sources cited the percentage of growth recently registered at neighbouring ports, which follow the same set of rules and regulations.

Demanding undue favours during vessel inspection/boarding, especially on vessels calling at the port for the first time, sends a negative image about the port among the Owners and Charterers of vessels abroad, the sources said. Also, several vessels are detained in Kochi by the MMD for various deficiencies that can be sorted out without detaining them, the sources said.

Granted, the majority of break-bulk ships carrying iron ore, fertilisers, coal, zinc concentrate, food-grains, etc., are over 25 years old and some of them are not in good condition, because of the nature of the cargo being carried on such vessels.

But, while counterparts of the MMD at other ports allow the entry of such vessels by relaxing the rules, Kochi Port is lagging behind on account of the unyielding attitude of officials. Some vessels are held up in the port for very minor deficiencies, the sources said.

They cited how Mangalore Port made efforts to attract coal vessels when Goa Port banned handling of coal due to various reasons, whereas Kochi Port had received only a very meagre share of the coal shipments.

The sources stressed that proper co-operation and joint efforts among all the departments is the need of the hour for efficient functioning and better growth of each port.

‘Scope for improvement’

When contacted, the Port Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, said: “The job of regulatory and inspecting authorities is not a pleasant or popular one.

At the same time, there is considerable scope for improvement in our existing practices.

“The ultimate aim is to enable our clients to transact business smoothly and efficiently and, for that, officers of all Departments, including those of the Port, Customs, MMD, PHO, PQ, etc., need to work as a team, and that is already happening.”

He said the Business Development Committee meetings of the Port are attended by officers of the Customs and other Regulatory Departments as well as the clients.

Many improvements have been brought about during the last couple of years after specific issues were brought to the notice of the Committee.

“If there are still some issues, these should be discussed openly in the Business Development Committee meetings. Specific issues could be taken up at senior levels for corrective action,” the Chairman added.