Shippers hit as more carriers add JNPT congestion charges

MUMBAI's Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) shippers has been subject to additional congestion surcharges charges on import containers as more carriers demand US$150 per TEU and $300 per FEU compensation for delays brought about by rising volumes beyond the port's ability to cope.

New carrier surcharges come from Hong Kong's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), NYK Line and Hyundai Merchant Marine after APL, NYK Line, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Wan Hai levied their own charges over the last two weeks.

Problems of in getting container to inland container depots, shortage of trains and the efficiency of inter-terminal trucking combine to clog overall port capacity and infrastructure, said Container Shipping Lines Association (CSLA).

The letter addressed to the port chairman also discussed shortage of pilots and shallow water, shut-out of containers and delays in berthing and casting off. Despite Container Corporation and port authority efforts to speed movement by shifting boxes en masse to Dronagiri Rail Terminal at no extra cost to carriers congestion is likely to worsen during monsoon season.

In a report from India's Economic Times a shipping company president said, the port is "living on borrowed luck".
(Source:www.schednet.com)