Cochin Port Officers Assn Plea to End Labour Dispute

KOCHI:
History says clearly, that for any country or state, the main source of its economic development is its seaport. For centuries, Cochin Port has been the back bone of the economic growth of Kerala. The Port plays the pivotal role in the trade development of Kerala. Any negative impact in the Port’s growth will affect adversely Kerala also. At present Port is passing through a very critical time.
Cochin Port Officers Association said tht eventhough in the past Port had handled all traditional cargo in the conventional way, containerisation and adaptation of modern technology has paved for the modal shift. However, in the recent years many of our cargo are getting diverted to neighbouring ports due to various reasons. One of the main reasons for such diversion is uncertainty of the labour condition at the Port. This is despite the fact
that there has been no labour issue in the past 10 years from the part of the Port’s own labour force.
In order to bring back the lost glory, Port is taking up extensive marketing effort to attract more new cargo to Cochin Port. Cochin Port is in constant dialogue with major clients like Reliance Oil, Essar Oil, and many other EXIM trade houses. Port with its constant persuasion had succeeded in attracting Ro-Ro ships carrying
coastal cars. Two voyages have already arrived. However, this new business is facing uncertainty due to sudden labour issue raised by private labour force in Willingdon Island.
It may be noted that car import by Ro-Ro ships is a new format of operation where no labour force is required like in the other bulk and break bulk operation. Port is looking forward to develop this business and make Cochin as a hub for Car exports to all part of the world. Cochin port has a unique advantage of being a cleanest port, ideal for car handling and can certainly develop into a hub, due to its geostrategic advantage of being closest Port to the international sea route.
Also, car import by Ro-Ro ships provides a minimum of Rs.3500 savings per car, which in turn will benefit the customers in the State of Kerala. It is felt that this huge potential for Cochin port will be jeopardized because of the labour dispute now arising in this context.
Being an organization closely associated with all the activities of the Port, Cochin Port Officers’ Association (CPOA) appeal to all the concerned to realize the opportunity lying ahead in car import/export by Ro-Ro ships. It is our responsibility to create a trade friendly atmosphere in the Port to get more cargo.
It is a different world. The trade will not come searching for us; we need to go in search of trade. So we should not take any step which is deterrent to the trade. Diversion of this car business will lead to indirect revenue loss to the state of Kerala. We hope the labour force will realise thi
s truth and act responsibly.
CPOA request, the Government of Kerala and the Labour department to intervene in the matter and create an atmosphere which will attract more cargo to the state of Kerala. We shall not repeat our mistakes and miss the bus like in the past.