HC asks Cochin Port to look into terminal charge

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Cochin Port Trust chairman to look into the complaints raised by the Seafood Exporters Association regarding the high terminal handling charges (THC) at the port.
"The chairman can take a decision if there is any merit in the complaints raised by the petitioners," Justice P N Raveendran said in the order. The tariff rates are decided by the Tariff Authority for Major Port (TAMP). The TAMP has issued guidelines for tariff fixation. The Port Trust concerned has to ensure that various service providers do not charge more than the prescribed ceiling rates fixed by the TAMP.The petitioners alleged that DP World, the operator of the international container transshipment terminal, does not directly bill the customers or users. Instead the bill is issued to steamer agents. "The steamer agents are arbitrarily demanding and overcharging THC by including several charges which are not approved by the TAMP. This is almost double the tariff rate fixed by the first respondent," they submitted.