Mumbai Port announces reduction in port charges for coastal vessels

Mumbai Port Trust has reduced vessel related charges for coastal service vessels by about 10 per cent on the applicable scale of rates with further reduction of wharfage charges on vehicle cargo.

This has been done in order to encourage the coastal movement of cargo, especially automobiles by Ro-Ro ships and to meet the demand of the original equipment manufacturers in the automobile sector and Ro-Ro vessel operators, a shipping ministry release stated.

Accordingly, wharfage rates for passenger cars up to 4000 mm length has been fixed at Rs500 per unit, while passenger cars of 4001 mm to 4700 mm length will be charged Rs1,000 per unit and passenger cars above 4700 mm length and SUVs and MUVs at Rs1,500 per unit.

Heavy vehicles of tare weight up to 5 tonnes will be charged Rs2,000 per unit while heavy vehicles of tare weight above 5 tonnes will be charged Rs450 per tonne or part thereof.

The reduction in wharfage and vessel related charges, which are to the tune of about 50 to 65 per cent, will be applicable for one year from 1 June 2016, the release noted.

The reduction in wharfage is aimed at encouraging the movement of domestic cars/ trucks from the manufacturing places such as Chennai to Mumbai, and similarly from Pune/Nashik to southern and eastern parts of India.

At present, these movements take place by road. This will also reduce congestion on roads and would be not only a cheaper option but also environmentally preferred option as it reduces carbon foot print.  This would also facilitate faster movement of vehicles meant for distribution and export, the ministry's release added.