New Mangalore Port Trust’s (NMPT) proposal to the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) on introducing anchorage charge of 10 per cent of the applicable berth hire charges for the period above 48 hours to 96 hours and increasing container-related charges at the port, has not found favour with the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru, which feels it will discourage the trade from doing business with the port, says a report.
In a representation to TAMP, Mr P.B. Abdul Hameed, President of KCCI, said anchorage charges are levied on vessels using the inner anchorage in order to carry out designated activities without interruption. However, the vessels are allowed to use the outer anchorage without any additional charge as the port is duty-bound to provide safe anchorage to the vessels calling at the port.
As per NMPT’s proposal, there will be no anchorage charge up to 48 hours. However, anchorage charge of 10 per cent of the applicable berth hire charges should be levied for the period above 48 hours to 96 hours. The charge will be 30 per cent of the applicable berth hire charges for the period above 96 hours to 144 hours, and 50 per cent of the applicable berth hire charges for above 144 hours.
Regarding the proposal to increase container-related charges, the KCCI President said that though there have been several attempts by NMPT to develop a container terminal at the port, the efforts did not elicit interest from the key players even after offering additional inducements, primarily due to low container traffic, said the report.
