KoPT plans floating tender for cargo handlers for Haldia

Kolkata Port Trust plans to float a tender tomorrow for selecting onshore dry bulk cargo handling agents for Haldia Port. “We will be among the first major ports in India to implement dry bulk handlers through competitive bidding along with revenue sharing in dry bulk berths for Haldia. We plan to float the tender on Monday,” Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) Chairman R P S Kahlon told PTI.

The Centre might examine Haldia's case before it asks all 12 major ports to follow suit, KoPT sources said. For bidders, the upper ceiling of charge has been fixed at Rs 119.48 and minimum revenue sharing of Rs 13 per tonne, Kahlon said.

The step had been initiated after the government had asked to select a handling agent for dry bulk through tendering along with revenue sharing, he said.

The Shipping Ministry was yet to decide on the recommendations of the recently formed five-member committee to advise modalities on how revenue could be shared for shore operations handled by private operators.

According to port users, onshore average bulk cargo handling charges was ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 300 per tonne and if the proposed attempt became a reality, it would be a boon for both trade and KoPT.

There had been allegations that the current system of appointing agents led to huge loss to the port and the users were keeping their fingers crossed. Kahlon added it has to be seen how much response this new tendering process gets.