CHAPTER – IV

Container Related charges

4.1.       CHARGES FOR SPECIAL SERVICES TO REEFER CONTAINERS

4.2.       CHARGES FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS USING MECHANICAL APPLIANCES

Notes:

(1).       The charges prescribed above are payable per crane requisitioned by    each applicant and supplied by the Port.

(2).       Premium to the extent of 25% on handling charges to be levied in case of hazardous containers.

(3).       Handling charge for transhipment container will be restricted to 150% of the charges prescribed for normal container for single operations i.e. loading or unloading.  In case of coastal transhipment containers, handling charges will be calculated with reference to applicable handling charge for coastal container for normal handling operation in loading or unloading cycle.

(4).       A container from foreign port landing at the VOCPT for subsequent transhipment to an Indian Port on a coastal voyage or vice versa would be charged at 50% of the transhipment charge prescribed for foreign-going vessel and 50% of that prescribed for the coastal category.

4.3.       SCHEDULE OF STORAGE RENT ON EMPTY AND LOADED CONTAINERS.

Notes:

(1).       The period of free days shall run concurrently with the free period of PSA SICAL TERMINAL and not consecutively.

(2)        Premium to the extent of 25% on storage charges to be levied in case of hazardous containers.

(3)        Free dwell-time (storage) period for import containers shall commence from the day after the day of landing of the container.  On expiry of the free period, storage rent shall be levied upto the time of delivery. 

For export containers the free period shall commence from the time the container enters the terminal. On expiry of the free storage period, storage rent shall be calculated upto the time the container leaves the yard.  The charges shall be calculated on a 24 hour basis.

(4).       Transhipment \ Re-export laden and empty containers

(i).        The free storage rent period shall commence from the time of completion of discharge after the first carrier to the time of berthing of the second carrier.  If the storage period exceeds the free period, the storage rent shall be calculated after the expiry of the free period upto the time of lift on.  The charges shall be calculated on a 24-hour basis.

(ii).        In case of containers, the transhipment status shall be extended only to loaded containers. Empty containers meant for other Ports, if landed at Tuticorin shall not be considered as transhipment. Containers that are de-stuffed within the security gate shall also not be treated as transhipment containers.

(iii).       The concession of transhipment to loaded container shall be withdrawn, if the loaded container goes out of the transit area.

4.4.       DEMURRAGE CHARGES FOR CONTAINERISED CARGO

4.4.1.    Containerised Import Cargo

4.4.2.    Containerised Export Cargo    

Notes:

(1).       For the purpose of calculation of free period, Customs holidays and the port’s non–operating days shall be excluded.

(2).       The stuffed cargo removed from the container and cargo meant for stuffing in the container stacked in transit area other than the space allotted on lease for that purpose, will be liable for demurrage as applicable to other cargo specified as below:

            (i).        Containerised Import cargo:

                                    For purpose of demurrage, the free days for such import cargo released with from the container shall count from the date following the date of release of the import cargo from containers.

            (ii).        Containerised Export cargo:

                        For purpose of demurrage, the free days for such export cargo shall be reckoned from the date on which cargo is admitted in the transit area and demurrage leviable, if any, shall be computed from the day following the completion of free days till such cargo has been stuffed into containers.

(3).       The storage charges on abandoned FCL containers/shipper owned containers shall be levied upto the date of receipt of intimation of abandonment in writing or 75 days from the day of landing of the container, whichever is earlier subject to the following conditions:

(i).        The consignee can issue a letter of abandonment at any time. 

(ii).        If the consignee chooses not to issue such letter of abandonment, the container Agent/MLO can also issue abandonment letter subject to the condition that,

(a).       the Line shall resume custody of container along  with cargo and either take back it or remove it from the port premises; and

(b).       the line shall pay all port charges accrued on the cargo and container before resuming custody of the container.

(iii).      The container Agent /MLO shall observe the necessary formalities and bear the cost of transportation and destuffing. In case of their failure to take such action within the stipulated period, the storage charge on container shall be continued to be levied till such time all necessary actions are taken by the shipping lines for destuffing the cargo.

(iv).      Where the container is seized/confiscated by the Custom Authorities and the same cannot be destuffed within the prescribed time limit of 75 days, the storage charges will cease to apply from the day the Custom order release of the cargo subject to lines observing the necessary formalities and bearing the cost of transportation and destuffing. Otherwise, seized/confiscated containers should be removed by the line/consignee from the port premises to the Customs bonded area and in that case the storage charge shall cease to apply from the day of such removal.                          

General Notes for schedule 4.1. to 4.4.

(1).       Cargo in containers originally manifested at the Port of shipment landed at wharf for transhipment shall be charged single wharfage dues payable on landing.

(2).       General manifest must be produced immediately to the authorised port official for verification by a test cheek of stuffed cargo in container brought for transhipment.

(3).       The applicant shall accept all risks and responsibilities for goods stored at the rental space so allotted, and shall make his own arrangements for security of the goods stored in such spaces.

(4).       Hire charges for port machineries and appliances whenever utilised by the shipper will be charged separately according to the rates prescribed in the Scale of Rates.

(5).       Storage charge on container/demurrage charges on cargo shall not accrue for the period when the VOCPT is not in a position to deliver/ship cargo when requested by the user.

(6).       If operational area is leased on rental to users, storage charges on container/demurrage on cargo stored therein shall not be levied again.

CHAPTER – V

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES

5.01.     SCHEDULE OF WEIGHMENT CHARGES for ZONE’A’ AND ‘B’

Note:

The weighment charges shall be levied on the total weight of the cargo weighed by the port on the weighbridges or weighing scales under each application for weighment, duly rounded off to the next higher tonne.

5.02.1. CHARGES FOR OCCASSIONAL USE OF WHARF CRANES, OTHER CRANES AND FORK LIFT TRUCK

5.02.2. CHARGES FOR HIRE OF GRAB FOR WHARF CRANE AND OTHER MECHANICAL APPLIANCES TO MASTERS, OWNERS OR AGENTS OF VESSEL

Notes:

(1).       Berth hire includes cranage component and hence no separate charges will be levied for wharf crane provided by the port (subject to availability) for loading and unloading of cargo from vessels including barges and lighters. The charges for use of grab will, however, be collected as prescribed in the above schedule.

(2).       The cranes or equipment provided shall not be used for purposes other than that for which application was made.

5.03.     CHARGES FOR HIRE OF CRANES, FORK LIFT TRUCK AND OTHER MECHANICAL APPLIANCES FOR PURPOSE NOT SPECIFIED IN SCHEDULE 5.2. and 5.2.1.

Notes:

(1).        In respect of use of the port machineries outside the port limits, a surcharge of 20 percent on the charges prescribed above shall be levied.

(2).    When fire fighting units use foam, the actual cost of foam used in the operation shall be charged extra.

(3).       (i).        If the requisition of the equipment is not cancelled before 2 hours of the commencement of the shift, the charges for the full shift will be recovered.

            (ii).        On the Port’s non-operating days, full charges for the period of requisition will be recovered if written notice of cancellation is not given during the working hours of the day prior to the date of requisition or when the equipment is not fully utilised as requisitioned.

(4).        While computing the hire charges, the actual hours of work shall be totalled and rounded off to the next higher hour after completion of the end of the work. For this purpose the time taken by the machinery to move from the yard to work spot and back to the yard will be included.

5.04.     WAY LEAVE CHARGES:

Notes:

(1).       Areas chargeable under Way Leave Licence shall be arrived based on the following formulae:

(i).        For a single pipe line:

Length of the pipe line multiplied by the Diameter (D) of pipe lines plus working space of 30 c.m(i.e) A=L+(D+30 cms.)

(ii).        For more than one pipe:

Length of the pipeline multiplied by the actual distance (D) between the extreme sides of the outer most pipes plus working space of 30 c.ms. (i.e.) A = L (D + 30 c.ms.)

            (iii).       For pipe line over pedestal:

Length of the pipeline multiplied by the width (D) of the foundation of the pedastal plus working space of 30 c.ms. (i.e.) A = L (D + 30 c.ms.)

            (iv).       For overhead wires:

Length of the overhead line multiplied by the distance (D) between the extreme ends of the longest street on the pole plus working space of 60 c.ms. (i.e.) A = L (D + 60 c.ms.)

(v).       For underground cables: Length of the cable multiplied by 15.c.ms. for each cable laid plus working space of 90 c.ms. (I.e.) for a single cable A = L (15 c.ms. + 90 c.ms.); for double cable A = L (2 x 15 c.ms. + 90 c.ms.) and so on.

5.05.     CHARGES FOR USE OF PORT’S PIPELINES TO TRANSPORT SHIPSTORES, BUNKER OIL, ETC., TO SHIPS.

5.06.     RENTAL CHARGES FOR ROOMS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SHIPPING OPERATION

Notes:

(1).       The charges prescribed above are inclusive of water charges.

(2).         Electricity charges shall be levied on actual consumption based on the meter reading.

(3).       The room will normally be allotted by the VOCPT on request in writing in the order of priorities of the dates of receipt of such requests by the parties concerned.

(4).       The allotment of room is subject to cancellation by the authorised official of the VOCPT at any time without prior notice and without assigning any reason thereafter.

5.07.      RENT FOR ALLOTMENT OF ROOM FOR STEAMER AGENTS WITHIN THE FORESHORE PREMISES

Notes:

(1).       The charges prescribed above are inclusive of water charges.

(2).       Electricity charges shall be levied on actual consumption based on the meter reading.

5.08.     RENT FOR OCCUPATION OF COMPARTMENTS IN THE COAL MAZDOOR LINES IN THE PORT PREMISES.

Note:

The charges prescribed above are inclusive of water charges and electricity charges.

5.09.     CHARGES FOR HIRE OF DRY DOCK TO THE OWNERS OF SAILING VESSELS AND TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR DRY DOCKING THEIR VESSELS

Notes:                                                                         

Advance Hire Charges      

(1).       Daily hire charges shall be levied excluding the day of docking and undocking of the vessels.

(2).       The charges prescribed above include the ship weight and pumping charges; but, do not include charges for the supply of fresh water, cranes and other facilities.

(3).        (i).       The dry dock in normal cases shall be given only for a period of ten days and owners/authorised agents of vessels in dry dock shall endeavour to complete all repair within 10 days period.

(ii).       In no case shall the dry dock be kept occupied for more than 30 days.

(iii).      When a vessel of an outside party is in the dry dock and the dry dock facility is urgently required for carrying out any emergency repair to the floating craft of the Port, the owner / authorised agents of vessel in the dry dock, shall vacate the same within seven days from the receipt of a notice to that effect.

(4).       On allotment of dry dock the hire charges towards docking, undocking and daily hire charges etc., as stipulated above shall be paid in advance before the vessel can be placed in the dock. If the vessel is to remain in the dock beyond the initial period of ten days, then further hire charges for the second and third spells of 10 days respectively, shall be paid in advance, as the case may be.

(5).       In the event of the vessel not being ready to be docked, or not using the dock on the day notified for the admission of the vessel into the dock, cancellation charges equivalent to the advance paid in respect of any vessel as per provision prescribed in note (4) will be charged.

(6).        (i).        Prior to the time regulated for the admission of any vessel into the dock, the necessary arrangements must be carried out by the hirer on board the vessel in consultation with the authorised official of the VOCPT.

(ii).        If on inspection, it is found that necessary arrangements have not been duly carried out, the vessel may be refused admission into the dock. In such case all expenses incurred by the Port in respect of the docking of such vessel, shall be borne by the owners/authorised agents of the vessel and shall be adjusted against the advance paid.

 (7).      The bill for the use of dry dock will be furnished to the hirer, after undocking of the vessels, who shall pay the balance charges, if any, due to this Port.

(8)       The VOCPT or its employees shall not be liable for delay caused to or any damages suffered by a vessel whilst docking or undocking during its stay in the dry dock.

(9).      Vessels of the following dimensions can only be dry docked.

(10).      Vessels having a draft of 5 feet 6 inches and above can be docked and undocked only at full tides. In case after completion of repairs, a vessel is held up in the dry dock for want of sufficient tide, such delays shall be to the account of the owner and he shall pay hire charges at the rates applicable till the vessel is undocked.

(11).      The hirer shall also make good the cost of any damage, repairs or loss to the dock, its appurtenances, plant, gear tackle, etc, caused by the vessel arising directly or indirectly in the course of the hire.

(12).      The hirer of dry dock shall make his own arrangement for watchman duty for the vessels, etc., round the clock.

(13).      (i).        The owners of the vessel shall make their own arrangements to carry out repairs to their vessels at their cost.

(ii).        The facilities of the port’s workshop shall be given on payment of prescribed charges only when spare capacity is available in the port workshop for taking up repairs.

(14).      Whenever a vessel is docked or undocked outside normal working hours of port’s workshop, the over-time charges if any payable to the departmental staff shall be borne by the hirers of the dry dock in addition to the usual charges.

(15).      Fire protective measures are to be arranged by the hirers at their cost.

(16).      The hirer should agree to indemnify the port against all claims for compensation by or on behalf of any workmen (Coolies or Labourers as the case may be) employed by him in connection with the work under execution in the premises of dry dock, for injury or death by an accident under the Indian Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1923 and that the decision of the Commissioner of Workmen’s Compensation with respect to the amount of such indemnity will be accepted as final.

5.10.     HIRE CHARGES FOR HIRE OF TOOLS AND PLANTS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

Notes:

(1).       The tools and plant shall be hired out to other Government departments and private parties for services within the foreshore under special circumstances and when not required for port’s use.

(2).       When the above plants are lent to private parties the hire charges shall be double the rates prescribed above.

(3).       The hirer charges shall be paid in advance. If, however, the period exceeds beyond a calendar month, the hire charges for each calendar month or part thereof shall be paid in advance.

(4).       The period of hire shall be reckoned with from the time the tools / plant leaves the stores till it is returned to the said stores.

(5).       All repairs (except due to fair wear and tear) during the periods of hire shall be borne by the hirer. The decision of the authorised official of the VOCPT shall be final as to what repairs should be borne by the hirer and by the VOCPT.

(6).       The hirer shall bear all charges connected with packing, handling in the stores, conveyance and other incidental expenses in connection with the despatch of the said tools and plant from the stores and return thereto including freight charges, if any, and also erecting and dismantling charges. If during the period of hire it is found necessary to send the said tools and plant to the port’s workshop and or other outside workshop for repairs, all conveyance and incidental charges to and fro shall be borne by the hirer.

5.11.     LICENCE FEES

Notes:

(1).       Failure to apply for renewal of the licence one month before the expiry thereof may entail cancellation of the licence or levy of a penalty per licence in addition to the usual licence fee.

(2).       Refund for unexpired period of licence will not be allowed.

5.12.     CHARGES FOR ISSUE OF PHOTO PERMITS

Notes:

(1).       (i).        The employees of the port shall be issued fresh permit at the time of appointment free of charge and the same shall also renewed every three years thereafter free of charge.

            (ii).       In case the permit issued free of charge to the employee of the VOCPT is lost or defaced, duplicate permit may be issued on payment of charges as prescribed in the schedule.

(2).       The charges once paid as per this schedule shall not be refunded in any case eventhough claim is received for the refund prior to the preparation and issue of fresh or duplicate permits or prior to the renewal of the permits by the Port.

5.13.     CHARGES FOR THE ISSUE OF TEMPORARY PASSES.

Notes:

(1).       The payment of the charge will not automatically entitle to get a pass.

(2).       Temporary passes issued to distinguished persons, officials and others visiting the port shall be exempted from the levy of this charge.

(3).       The validity of Daily Pass is 24 Hours from the time of entry.

(4).          The temporary entry permit beyond 24 hours will be issued @ `50/- per permit for 15 days and `100/- for period beyond 15 days and up to 30 days and the maximum period of temporary entry permit is restricted to 30 days.

5.14.   CHARGES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR SHOOTING OF FILMS IN THE HARBOUR PREMISES

Notes:

(1).       (i).        The charges prescribed above shall be paid in advance and no refund of such payment shall be allowed for any failure/ cancellation of the programme.

(ii).        If the cancellation of programme is at the instance of the Port the charges paid shall be refunded, subject to claim in time.

(2).       The hire charges for any craft and/or appliance of the Port, if any, that are supplied and used by the film making company or by those taking photographs shall be levied as per the rates prescribed in the Scale of Rates in addition to charges payable under this schedule.

5.15.1.  FEES FOR SALVAGE OF GOODS

5.15.2.  FEES FOR SERVICES OF DIVERS

General notes relating to schedule 5.15.1. and 5.15.2.

(1).     The charges include the cost of ordinary diver’s charges but are exclusive of any special charges which may be necessary in certain cases, such as the use of tugs, barges or other craft which will be charged at actual cost or at the rates prescribed in the Scale of Rates, as the case may be. In case of goods liable to damage by water, the advalorem percentage prescribed above shall be recovered on the sale value or Customs valuation, as the case may be.

(2).     The diver’s charges shall be levied in all cases of diving work carried out on special requisitions for the services, of the Port Diver irrespective of the results of search or examinations by the divers. Where a search is undertaken for recovery of goods lost over board and such goods are recovered, charges as per salvage shall be levied.

(3).     When a diving boat is towed by a launch, the towage charges shall be levied extra.

5.16.     LICENCE FEE FOR ENTRY OF VEHICLES / EQUIPMENT:

Notes:

(1).       Hand craft and Animal carts shall be required to pay the licence fee only for entry into the Security Wall in Zone A and Zone B.

(2).       The following vehicles will be exempted from the payment of licence fee:

(i).        Vehicles belonging to

(a).       V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust and other Major port trusts and

(b).       Tuticorin Thermal Power Project.

The above vehicles should obtain general or specific permission from the concerned head of the department of the port trust or the Traffic Manager of the port trust.

(ii).        Regular route buses and school buses.

(iii).       All vehicles carrying household goods to and from residence of the Harbour colony and other residences located inside the check gates.

 (3).      Conditions for issue of licences:

(i).        Licences issued for a day shall be called temporary licence.

(ii).        The payment of licence fee will not automatically entitle the owner of a vehicle / equipment for entering the zones.

(iii).       No refund is permissible for the charges once paid and of the unexpired period of licence.

(iv).       Whenever damage to the port’s property is caused by any vehicle / equipment plying within the port premises, the owner of the vehicle / equipment shall accept liability thereof and pay the damages resulting there from and the port reserves the right to suspend the operation of the licence issued or the issue of the licence to the owner or agent of the vehicle / equipment until such damage is made good.

(v).       The port reserves the right to refuse a licence or cancel a licence issued without assigning any reasons.

(4).       10% of actual cost is fixed as a penalty for late submission of application for renewal of Licence.

(5).       The rates in respect of Sl.No.5 will be applicable for all other heavy duty equipment(s) not specified in the Schedule. Also the rates will be applicable for engaging private grabs.

(6).       The Unit “Day” for Licence Fee the daily pass means 24 Hours from the time of entry.

5.17.     PASSENGER TOLL AND CHARGES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING PASSENGERS

Notes:

(1).        The passenger toll shall be levied on all deck and cabin passengers disembarking and embarking at the Port.

(2).        Defence personnel other than civil staff moving on duty disembarking and embarking at the port shall be exempted from the payment of the passenger toll.

5.18.     ISSUE OF DUPLICATE COPY OF BILLS AND RECEIPTS, ETC.

5.19.     CHARGES FOR HIRE OF WOODEN LOGS TO SAILING VESSELS.

5.20.     CHARGES FOR USE OF HARBOUR MOBILE CRANES INSTALLED BY THE PRIVATE OPERATORS:

(I).        For Dry Bulk Cargo