KOCHI: In the wake of the delay in clearing imported cargo from the port’s godown, the Cochin Port is planning to introduce a mechanised system to speed up clearance.The move comes after the recent delay in clearing fertilisers imported by FACT and the Indian Potash Limited. Around 24,000 tonnes of urea and 27,000 tonnes of potash is yet to be cleared as the Kerala Head Load Workers Welfare Fund Board is not able to provide enough labourers.The fertilisers had reached Kochi in the second week of November.Though the representatives of various trade unions expressed their willingness to supply labourers from different pools to clear the cargo, at a meeting convened by the Port Trust chairman on Tuesday, the work has not started yet. Speaking at the meeting, Port Trust chairman Paul Antony had said that the management was thinking of a mechanised system.Since the port does not have its own machinery, the plan is to hire them for now. The issue of low rate of clearance of imported fertilisers have created an adverse impact in the agricultural sector at a time when the prices of fertilisers are skyrocketing.“We are expecting two vessels carrying fertilisers next month and if the cargo is not cleared at proper time, the situation will worsen,” said port authorities.
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