KoPT fails to get a replacement for HBT in Haldia

Although the tender floated received two responses, the handling charges quoted were unaffordable for KoPT

Job Vacancies.

Find 1000's of Jobs in your City.   Connect with Employers. Apply Now! Quikr.com/Jobs

Ads by Google

Kolkata Port Trust has failed to get a replacement of India-French joint venture Haldia Bulk Terminmal (HBT) to operate two mechanized berth in its Haldia Port even four moths after HBT's exit citing unsafe working condition.

Although, the tender floated seeking a replacement, received two responses – TM International Logistics Ltd and J M Baxi & Co -- the handling charges quoted was deemed “unaffordable” for KoPT. “It was even higher than the rate suggested by the guidelines of the tariff authority. KoPT can not afford such high charges,” a KoPT official said.

TM International Logistics Limited (TMIL), an arm of Tata Steel Limited, was the lower bidder. But, the handling charge quoted by it was even higher than that of Rs 227 per tonne suggested by tariff authority guideline. “If TMIL is selected KoPT will incur huge loss,” the official said.

Incidentally, Haldia Bulk Terminals, a joint venture between homegrown ABG Infralogistics and French company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs , used to charge the Kolkata Port Trust Rs 75 per tonne of cargo, which was far below than upper limit suggested by the tariff authority.

KoPT officials said, it is yet to take a decision on future course of action to rope in an operator for the berth, earlier operated by HBT.

HBT had signed an agreement with the KoPT to operate two mechanized berths till 2020.  However, HBT found itself in a political turmoil after the berth operator retrenched 275 employees citing low cargo allocation by KoPT. HBT had also alleged “vested interest” in diversion of cargo to the expensive manual berths, run by former Trinamool MP Swapan Sadhan Bose promoted Ripley & Co. This finally culminated HBT's exit from Haldia Dock Complex in November last year.

 

ALOK KUMAR

PGDM IISEM