Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, May 30: New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has planned to levy anchorage fee on ships bringing LPG loads from foreign countries. It is felt that this may result in increase in LPG prices in Karnataka.
As there is high demand for LPG in this state, the companies go hunting for gas suppliers and get the same by ships. It takes time to unload this LPG at the port here. Till the LPG is unloaded, other ships have to wait their turn away from the port. Currently, no fee is levied for this waiting period.
As per the new proposal, fee will be levied in the form of anchorage fee on such ships. As of now NMPT has been collecting a port fee of Rs 170 towards handling every tonne of LPG here.