Port Trust feed for feeder vessels

KOCHI: The Cochin Port Trust has announced 30 per cent concession on  vessel-related charges for feeder vessels calling at Cochin port. The port management’s decision came in the wake of the demands made by the Cochin Steamer Agents’ Association (CSAA) in this regard. “The matter was presented before the Board of Trustees and the same has been passed,” Cochin Port chairman Paul Antony said.The CSAA has urged the Cochin Port to extend 30 per cent concession tariff    to feeder vessels till March 2013 in the wake of the problems being faced by  the container shipping industry owing to the recession in Europe.According to the statistics available with the Cochin Steamer Agents’ Association (CSAA), there is a considerable fall in the number of feeder vessels calling at Cochin Port during 2011-12.“During April 2010-11, 302 feeder vessels called at Cochin Port. This number has fallen to 289 during April 2011-February 2012. We hope this would go up  to 298 by March 31. The container shipping industry is going through a very tough phase owing to the European recession with many main lines deciding to terminate enviable services,” said Santhosh Kumar, president of CSAA.“We are happy to know that the port management has taken a decision in favour of steamer agents. Providing concession will surely attract more vessels to Kochi,” Santhosh Kumar added.“Various steps initiated by Cochin Port after commissioning ICTT Vallarapdam are a clear indication that the port management values its exim customer and   is willing to extend an all-out support by providing infrastructure backing  to meet the demands of customers,” he said.