Govt puts new stevedoring policy in place; Existing contracts to run full course
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, JUNE 28, 2016: THE community of stevedoring agents is in for a major change. The Union Govt has notified a new Stevedoring and Shore Handling Policy w.e.f July 31, 2016.
As per the mandate of this policy, the existing Stevedoring Agents will have to switch over to the new Scheme from that date and charge the ceiling tariff rate fixed. If they do not switch over to the new scheme, the licence shall be terminated by the Port Trusts by giving due notice as envisaged in the Regulations. The Ports shall ensure that migration to the new Stevedores & Shore Handling Scheme is done by following the the Regulations.
All existing contracts applicable to Stevedoring and Shore Handling operations would be allowed exemption till the date of expiry of the contract or 31st July, 2017, whichever date is earlier. As an example, Haldia Dock Complex had introduced Stevedoring licences for two years from April, 2015 and is valid till March, 2017 through an auction process. Therefore, the new Stevedoring and Shore Handling Scheme will be made applicable after expiry of the existing Scheme i.e. from April, 2017.
TAMP shall notify the normative tariff for Stevedoring and Shore Handling activities for the Major Ports based on a set of Guidelines to be issued to TAMP. This tariff shall be ceiling tariff. With regard to Kamarajar Port, the Board of Directors may fix the same. In case of any change in Role for TAMP in future, Boards of Major Ports will fix and notify the Rates based on the performance norms in the Major Port as per Berthing Policy Guidelines. This will also apply to Mumbai Port and Haldia where stevedoring is carried out by the Ports.
All port customers will be notified on the ceiling tariffs set for Stevedoring and Shore Handling activities. The tariff will be mandatorily displayed on the Port website.
The port will appoint a nodal officer responsible for monitoring of Stevedoring and Shore Handling tariffs. The officer will be responsible for handling all complaints on violation of Stevedoring and Shore Handling ceiling tariff.
The Port Trusts should be liberal in issuing licenses to Stevedoring and Shore Handling agents. All eligible agents would be issued licences for Stevedoring and Shore Handling operations to ensure maximum competition. As competition increases, the cost of transaction to the trade will decrease and the quality of services will also improve.
The Port Trusts may charge a royalty as the licence fee for the Stevedoring and Shore-handling licences. The Port Trust may fix a per Metric Tonne royalty rate from all agents. No discrimination will be made among the Stevedoring and Shore-handling agents on the royalty licence fee.