Visakhapatnam Port has reduced wharfage charges by 10-20 per cent to attract more cargo, which have of late started shifting to the nearby Gangavaram port. A wharfage charge is the fee paid for using a wharf for unloading or loading of goods.
“After the commencement of Gangavaram port bulk cargos like coking coal, thermal coal, iron ore have started shifting from Vizag port. If the situation continues, the port would lose more cargo volumes in the coming days,” Krishna Kumar, president, Visakhapatnam Stevedores Association, told Business Standard.
The port is offering concessions to encourage exporters and importers, who can handle 1 million tonne or above cargo a year. Cargo owners have to sign a memorandum of understanding with the port to avail of the facility.
“They must bring no less than 1 million tonne of cargo in a year. For cargo up to 500,000 tonne, the port would offer a 10 per cent concession and would offer additional concessions beyond that till 2 million tonne,” he said. For instance, on iron ore handling (mechanical), the wharfage charge would be Rs 95 per tonne (pt) up to 500,000 tonne, Rs 86 pt up to 2 million tonne, Rs 76 pt up to 3 million tonne and Rs 67 pt up to 4 million tonne.
Besides, under the new trade policy, exporter/importer/steamer agent may reserve a berth 15 days in advance, he said.