Kochi Port extends concession to mainline box ships

Kochi: Given the growth in the arrival of mainline vessels of late, the Kochi port has decided to continue the 60 per cent concession for such vessels for a further period of six months or till migration of container operations to ICTT at Vallarpadam.

Senior port officials said that the concession in vessel-related charges for mainline vessels has yielded results, as about 43 mainline vessels accounting for 34,391 teus ( twenty-foot equivalent unit) called at the port between April-September this year compared to 25 vessels with 21,982 teus in the corresponding period last year.

The growth in mainline container volumes in April-September 2010 over April-September 2009 has been 56 per cent, while the corresponding growth in feeder volumes is much less at six per cent.

The mainline container ships have been granted 50 per cent concession in vessel related charges since September 1, 2006.

This was increased to 60 per cent with effect from May 7, 2010 consequent to the revision of scale of rates and hike in vessel-related charges by 40 per cent with a view to maintaining status quo in the concessional tariff. The concession is applicable for vessels with international ports of call in the continents of America, Europe, Africa, Australia and any port in China.

The port had also witnessed a steady growth in the arrival of mainline vessels in the last few years following the introduction of concession in vessel related charges. The container traffic has grown by 11 per cent in the year 2009-10 compared to that in 2008-09. In April-September 2010, the growth has been 13.5 per cent over the same period in 2009. The mainline container traffic grew to 35 vessels and 28,679 teus in 2009-10 compared to 22 vessels and 10,452 teus in 2008-09.