Container charges to go down
Existing billing system is expected to change
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-18 05:35 GMT
KOCHI: Container handling charges at Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal is expected to come down substantially due to the decision to change the existing billing system. A meeting convened by the Cochin Port of various stakeholders has decided that terminal related charges will be billed directly by DP World, the operator of the terminal from exporters and importers.
According to the existing system shipping companies are making the payment of terminal handling charges to DP World leading to the incidence of service charges being levied twice.
“The present attempt with the active co-operation of Steamer Agents Association is expected to substantially reduce the total transaction cost at the Vallarpadam ICTT”, a statement released by CPT on Friday said.
The modalities of implementing the new system will be discussed by the terminal operator and shipping lines before being rolled out from January 1 next year. The meeting has also decided to discontinue the container service pool system under the Customs House Association immediately. This is also expected to bring down the container handling charges, the release said.