It is learnt that the port chairman M Machendranathan, in a communication to the steam agents' association, has termed the recent addition to terminal-handling charges and operational cost recovery charges imposed on customs agents as unauthorised and illegal. The customs agents association had taken up the matter with the CPT chairman in October last.

According to Machendranathan, the port has not revised terminal handling charges and will continue to be pegged at Rs 1,415 for a 20-feet container and Rs 2,125 for a 40-feet container.

The steam agents association had revised the rates to Rs 2,105 for a 20-feet container, an increase of Rs 690, and to Rs 2,970 for a 40-feet container, an increase of Rs 840, effective October 15, 1998.

Over and above, the agentshad also imposed an additional OCR charge of $30 per 20-feet container and $60 per 40-feet container effective October 20, 1998.

Customs agents protested, saying that such increased charges will affect import-export trade traffic at the port and also jeopardise the future of over 500 customs-clearing agents and nearly 6,500 clearing clerks working in Chennai.

The port chairman has also indicated as of January 19 that the port will give priority berthing to all feeder operators who have agreed to withdraw the operational cost recovery charges. He has accordingly informed all his section heads to ensure such priority berthing is given to those who have withdrawn the charge.

It is learnt that some shipping agents have come forward to withdraw the OCR. Meanwhile, it seems the steam agents association has decided to withdraw the charge from January 31.

But mainline operators (MLO) have not yet relented even though the hike has been declared as illegal and unauthorised.

According to a senior portofficial, the matter is to be taken up once again with mainline operators some time in early February.