(a) whether the business of ports in India has shifted to the neighbouring
International Ports due to present tariff structure in the ports;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken by the Union Government to revise the tariff structure
to attract International Shipping Companies?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) & (b): No such information has been received which may indicate that the business
meant for the major ports in India has shifted to the neighbouring international ports due
to the present tariff structure in the Major Ports.
(c): The Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Department of Shipping has
approved the revised set of tariff guidelines for fixing tariff in Major Port Trusts in
March 2005 after extensive consultation, both at the level of Tariff Authority for Major
Ports (TAMP) and the Government, with all the relevant stakeholders. The salient points
of the revised guidelines of 2005 are as follows:
(i) A cap of 15% prescribed on return on capital employed by major port trusts/private
operators.
(ii) Royalty/revenue share payable by private operator to land lord port is not allowed
as pass through in tariff so that users will not bear the burden.
(iii) Rates fixed by TAMP act as ceiling. Ports / operators have flexibility to reduce
the tariff or allow discounts based on the commercial requirements.
(iv) Users not responsible for delays caused by the port / operator.
(v) Composite pilotage fees are unbundled so that users will pay only for those
services availed by them.
(vi) Three tier sliding pilotage fee prescribed with lower rates for bigger vessels.
(vii) Concessional tariff is prescribed for handling transshipment containers in order
to promote transshipment at Indian Ports.