Licences for stevedoring activities

KOCHI: Aiming at enhancing bulk cargo handling at the Cochin Port, the port management has decided to issue licences for stevedoring activities (loading and unloading of bulk cargo from ships and packing in godowns).Consequent to the shifting of the container terminal operation from Willingdon Island to Vallarpadam, the deep draft berths and a large backup area at Ernakulam Wharf (berths Q8 sand Q9) of the port is planned to be used for handling various types of bulk/break bulk cargo. The port is focusing to develop the Ernakulam Wharf as a major bulk cargo consolidation centre of South India. Another advantage is that both the berths have the proximity of channel of 12.5-metres draft and a railway line.Presently, though there are nine organisations registered and issued licenses for stevedoring activities, only five are functioning actively. Since we expect more bulk cargo in the near future, services of more organisations may be needed,” said the port authorities. Any organisation registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, which has enough employees experienced in clearing cargo from ships can apply for registration and license.However, the port management’s attempts to develop Ernakulam Wharf as a major bulk cargo consolidation centre of South India has faced a set back when thousands of tonnes of urea and potash imported by the Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) and the Indian Potash Limited (IPL) are piled up in the godowns of the CPT for want of labourers to clear them. Compartmentalisation of labour into various water-tight pools within the Welfare Board, where over 2500 workers are registered, is the cause of the shortage. Despite the lack of work for them in other pools, they could not be spared by the board, resulting in shortage amidst plenty. The Welfare Board was able to supply only around 40 workers on an average against the demand of 120.