Mormugao Ports Authority adopted the Union ministry’s policy to impose performance norms on cargo vessels that are unloading dry bulk cargo but has tweaked the incentives and penalties to suit local conditions, reports Times Of India.
The amended penalties
If a cargo ship utilises 5% more or less time while unloading commodity as specified in productivity norms no penalty will be imposed. However, if the cargo vessel occupies the berth for more than 5% of the stipulated time then Rs 500 will be charged per hour. The permissible time for bulk cargo ships varies based on the commodity, such as gypsum, iron lumps, wood chips, sand and limestone.
Official statement
“To implement the output norms in line with the policy made by the Union ministry, the modified penalty or incentive scheme, suiting local conditions, will come in force from the 30 days after the date of its notification in the official gazette by the Mormugao Port. All vessels arriving at berth on or after the date of these norms coming into force will be subjected to the policy,” said MPA in the notification.
Berthing policy
The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways had issued a berthing policy, which included performance norms for dry bulk cargo for Major Ports in June 2016. The modified performance norms and the penalty for longer berth usage was implemented for major ports but not for Mormugao Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority and Kolkata Port Authority.
The Centre had directed MPA to amend its respective policies according to the local constraints and restrictions.
Factors such as the delays that are attributable to the port such as break-down or non-availability of port provided equipment and weather related delays shall be considered as stoppages and will not lead to penalties.
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Source: Times Of India
