The Hindu Business Line : Frequent strikes a threat to Kochi box terminal: DP World

Kochi, Nov 15 DP World, the container terminal operator in the Cochin Port Trust, has written to the port management that the uncertain business conditions at the port is a threat to the commissioning of the proposed international container transshipment terminal project at Vallarpadam.

The company pointed out that the frequent business interruptions prevailing in the port are leading to delay in awarding the civil work for setting up transshipment terminal project and the strike would have a negative impact on its future viability, highly placed sources in the port said.

Flash strike

The letter of the terminal operator comes in the wake of the flash strike resorted to by workers in the container terminal since Wednesday that had crippled the entire port operations.

As many as four container vessels including a mainline ship, the one and only direct service to the US port, are waiting at the outer anchorage as they could not enter the terminal on account of the strike.

Moreover, two vessels in the container berth are lying idle as these vessels had to load around 1,000 teus and also to discharge another 1,000 teus.

Meanwhile, the strike has been called off following a reconciliatory meeting held by the Regional Labour Commissioner on Thursday in the port.

The trade union leaders, DP World officials and the port officials participated in the meeting. It was decided at the meeting that a resolution will be made in a week’s time in this regard.

Sources said that the cargo movement from Kochi for the Christmas season had already started and the strike had affected the movement of export cargo to various destinations abroad.

They pointed out that the port is heading towards the olden days where the lightning strikes by workers ruled the port and hampered cargo operations.

Though the trade is making all out efforts to attract cargo to Kochi, these kinds of work disruptions will definitely affect the image of the port, the sources added.

‘Twist lock’ issue

The workers went on a flash strike on Wednesday in protest against the denial of ‘notional employment’ by the terminal operator for those who handling ICD containers. The workers alleged that the terminal operator had introduced new system for handling ICD containers without holding any discussions with trade unions. Usually six gang men were deputed for opening ICD containers.

Old practice

However, the DP World officials pointed out that the company would engage these workers as long as there is a requirement for persons to handle “twist lock” in ICD boxes. These gangs were engaged in the terminal long back to release twist lock manually from ICD boxes. After the introduction of automatic twist lock, there is no need for additional gang to carry out the work. However, these workers were demanding money even though there is no work, the officials added.

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