No congestion at port, says JNPT

MUMBAI: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust authorities have said that there is no congestion at the port (JN Port).

Reacting to the news item 'More carriers to levy congestion charge at JNPT' (ETSL, July 12, 2010), they have informed : "All three terminals of JN Port (JNP Container Terminal , Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal and Gateway Terminals India) are taking all out efforts to ensure speedy connection of boxes to vessels for export and to rail/road as well in case of import containers."

A statement from the port informed that the average dwelling period of import containers bound to CFS at JN Port is well within the period of 1.72 days as against the free period. In case of average dwelling period of ICD containers , especially bound to TKD (New Delhi) at individual terminals is not exceeding more than 6.42 days which is well within the free period. Further to this, the port has adequate number of pilots for serving various tonnage vessels and no delay has been noticed for sailing and berthing of vessels at JNP.

As far as ITRHO is concerned , steps have already been taken by the port terminals to ensure faster movement of import containers and export containers in order to ensure speedy connection to the designated vessels, it pointed out.

As far as dealing with the inbound and outbound containers are concerned, the port is having enough container yard capacity which can accommodate up to 76,000 TEUs altogether at any given point of time. “For the benefit of trade, the port is always taking proactive measures and is having interaction with them at regular intervals with the joint efforts of Concor, private terminals operators, railways etc in order to meet the demand of exim trade,” it said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, July 14, leading shipping operator Maersk Line has intimated the trade about their decision to impose congestion surcharge from July 20.

It said: "... the port is facing severe congestion; which unfortunately causes inconveniences and delays both to you and to Maersk Line.

Accordingly, the line will be charging $ 60 for 20' standard and $120 for 40' standard and high cube on all import shipments gated-in at origin, on or after 20 July, 2010.

"The congestion situation is beyond our control and we regret any inconveniences caused to you," it said, adding, "We are working closely with the terminal to overcome this challenge as soon as possible, and appreciate your understanding ."

The port, however, has strongly objected to the shipping lines statements and said that it is not supporting levying of congestion surcharges. "In order to make profit and to cover up loses they suffer elsewhere the lines are resorting to such unethical practices," an official of the port said. "We could prove that there is no congestion at our facilities and activities of the lines are only bringing in a bad name to the port. We would like to take appropriate action against them," an official added.

"There is an element of surprise in the behavior of the lines," admitted a shipper, when asked about the ground realities at the port. "When the port was overflowing with containers a few years back, the lines did not make any noise. It was the trade bodies who got the issue resolved with active involvement of central authorities. Now when there is very little of congestion to talk of, they make it a big issue . There seems to be some concerted effort on the part of the lines, which are seen implementing surcharges one after another. With so many local ports vying for cargo, there could be some hidden agenda that is being played out," he said.

Attempts to get the lines’ perspective proved futile.