It is reported that protest is brewing among vessel operators in Kochi port over the recent move of the India Gateway Terminal to suspend operations in the gantry berth on Sundays and public holidays.

Sources in the shipping fraternity told Business Line that Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal is not working on Sundays a situation which has never been there earlier even when the terminal was run by Kochi port. There were several instances where vessels were not allowed berths on Sundays during April.

At a time when the shipping industry is in doldrums, asking vessel operators to wait outer roads on a week end and wait for a berth till Monday will not be acceptable to principals, especially when the terminal and Kochi port is looking to increase its volumes.

The sources pointed out that the current situation would make the ship owners to pay additional expenses, such as charter hire, and bunker charges and above all time loss if a vessel denied of berth on holidays. The shipping fraternity had even sought the co operation of the Port Chairman in the matter to take an immediate action.

However, senior officials in India Gateway Terminal when contacted said that they have not taken any such decision in this regard at the moment. There was a thought process some time back in this regard in view of the decline in cargo arrivals to the port.

The officials clarified that the terminal is at present working on all days and any decision in this regard will be officially declared to all port users.

(Sourced from Business Line)