Container trailer owners have threatened to keep their vehicles off the roads in protest against the State's move to enforce the provisions of Central Motor Vehicles Act in respect of overloading in container carriage vehicles.
Mr M.K.M. Nair, President of the Cochin Container Carriers Owners Welfare Association, pointed out that the weight capacity problem with container carrier vehicles is only in Kerala.
Other States even permit carriage at higher tonnage-of up to 45 tonne instead of maximum 35 tonnes currently being issued by the authorities in the case of exim cargo.
Drive away business
He pointed out that there are no weight restrictions or overloading of containers in neighbouring ports because governments of these States handle the problem amicably without causing damage to the trade.
The containers are transported under the supervision of the Customs or Central Excise authorities and can only be stuffed or de-stuffed in their presence, after the removal of the seal on the container door at the point of origin or destination. So there is absolutely no possibility to unload or reduce the cargo weight at check posts or exit points, he said.
If the Government decides to enforce the provisions of the Act, he said, there would be considerable difficulties for transporters, shippers and importers in the State. This is a matter of serious concern to the exim trade, the Kochi port and even the container terminal operator DP World, he said, adding that it would drive away the container business to neighbouring ports.
Mr Nair pointed out that container carriers are specially designed for the exclusive transportation of exim cargo duly packed in containers of international standards and specifications. The manufacturers all over the world are building containers according to international standards and buyers give orders for shipments of weight specifications.
If a particular exporter or importer is unable to meet the specific requirements, he will lose orders. Moreover, if shipments are done with short weight or smaller quantity than the order placed, they will be under heavy financial loss, he said.
Ensure smooth flow
At a time when the Central and State Governments are taking measures to boost exports by initiating various export promotion drives, it is essential to ensure the smooth flow of the cargo without creating impediments on the movements of container carriage vehicles on technical grounds, he said.
According to Mr Nair, the arrival of containers to the port would be doubled, with the completion of the Vallarpadam Terminal in two years on account of more direct sailing of vessels to the new terminal. Given the situation, the authorities should take remedial measures to settle the problem once and for all, he added.
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