The port chairman has in a communication to CSAA has, it is learned, described as unauthorised and illegal the recent additions to THC and operational cost recovery (OCR) charges imposed on customs agents doing clearing work at the port.

The CCHAA had taken up the matter of these revised terminal handling charges and imposition of additional OCR with the CPT chairman back in October last year. According to the CPT chairman M Machendranathan, the port has not introduced any changes in port THC and the THC for a 20 ft container at Rs 1415 and for a 40 ft container at Rs 2125 continues to be the same for the last several years.

CSAAhad revised the rates to Rs 2105 for a 20 ft container, an increase of Rs 690 per container, and to Rs 2970 percontainer, an increase of Rs 840 for a 40 ft container effective from October 15, 1998.