Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Port strike: talks deadlocked

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 27. With strike at the Vizag port bringing loading and unloading operations to a standstill, the trade has begun to explore the options of diverting their vessels to other ports.

Talks convened by the Labour Department on Tuesday ended in a deadlock with both the management and the unions sticking to their stand over the engagement of labour at the recently developed East Quay 8 and 9 berths with private sector participation on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

The general secretary of the Visakhapatnam Harbour and Port Workers' Union, D. Ch. Masen, said the VPT management did not yield to the demand that workers of the Dock Labour Board (DLB) be deployed at the new facilities as per the provisions of the Major Ports Act of 1948.

BOT project conditions

In a press release, the VPT spokesman said: "as per the terms and conditions of the BOT project, the terminal operator has the option to deploy manpower at their discretion. In such a scenario VPT cannot dictate terms to the BOT operator on manpower employment.'' Before awarding work, the Ministry of Shipping's clarification was obtained on engagement of labour, according to which the option of employing port/DLB labour rested with the BOT operator.

Options under study

As the strike entered the third day on Tuesday, the Vizag port faces loss of cargo with the trade studying the possibilities of having its import vessels handled at other ports to save on losses that ships idling at berths or at anchorage incur.

``For the principals, the hire charges of a panamax vessel work out to about $ 40,000 a day.

"And there are also daily port charges to account for when a vessel is berthed, but is idling in the harbour.

"We can cut losses by having our vessels discharge their cargoes at other convenient ports,'' a trade source said.

While six vessels have been stranded in the harbour, seven are at the anchorage awaiting berthing.

More vessels are expected over the next few days adding up to the queue.

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