KCCI condemns the proposal of NMPT to develop container terminal

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru Nov 16, 2016: Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jeevan Saldanha strongly condemn the steps of NMPT to the proposal of handing over all cargo operations to one vendor by blocking one premium berth no 8.

Addressing media at KCCI on November 16, Wednesday he said that, this will definitely deprive the right to livelihood of those who are dependent on port related activities at NMPT since decades.

He recalled the proposal which has put up by NMPT for upfront Tariff setting for development of container terminal at Berth no 8 on PPP model at New Mangalore port. Berth no 8 which has the average birth occupancy of about 73.7% is most occupied berth amongst all dry bulk cargo berths.
KCCI under the leadership of President Jeevan Saldanha has submitted letter to MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Minister for Road and Transport Nithin Gadkari and Chairman of Tariff Authority for Major ports demanding to drop the proposal from NMPT.
During the hearing of Tariff Authority of Major Ports (TAMP) on October 26, KCCI expressed why to give away Family silver in the first place and put people of the region to hardship to benefit just one entity.

He also said that, the berth identified for this project is berth no 8 which is a premium berth of this port with a draft of 14 M and length of 260 M. It is a multipurpose berth which can handle all types of dry bulk cargoes. Hence dedicating this berth to a PPP operator for handling containers is a sheer waste of national resource. Container vessels calling Mangaluru have draughts of 10.5 meters. Hence 3.5 meters of available depth of water goes waste as Vessel of higher dread weight can utilize to same.

KCCI Vice President Vatika Pai, Secretary Praveen Kumar, Abdul Hameed and Treasurer Ganesh Bhat were present.