Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) has postponed the joint hearing scheduled to be held on Tuesday in connection with the proposed revision of scale of rates at Vallarpadam terminal.

A decision to this effect has been taken following the request made by port users and other user organisations to extend the timeframe to furnish their comments on the proposals, which will expire on January 31.

A TAMP letter reaching here said the new date of joint hearing will be intimated to port users in due course of time.

Rates hike opposed

The port users, including Cochin Steamer Agents Association and Container Shipping Lines Association, had represented to TAMP on the general rates revision proposal forwarded by India Gateway Terminal Ltd at ICTT Vallarpadam.

The terminal operator had proposed a 7 per cent hike in terminal handling charges, with effect from January 1 for period of three years, up to March 2019.

However, TAMP has decided to conduct joint hearing to discuss the issues before going ahead with the rates increase.

Prakash Iyer, Trustee, Cochin Port Trust, said it was the collective efforts of the shipping fraternity in Kochi that forced TAMP to postpone the date of joint hearing.

“We strongly oppose the move as it comes at the most inappropriate time when a slowdown in the sector has already started impacting the trade,” he said.

Iyer, who is also board member of Cochin Steamer Agents Association, warned that the shipping operators’ body would not cooperate with the authorities in future trade meets to be held for boosting business if the terminal operator went ahead with its rate increase proposal.

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