Recovery Time

August 04, 2006 (LBO) – Feeder vessels operating in Colombo said they would remove a cost recovery surcharge imposed on ships calling on the island, from August 10. Following a recent strike at the Colombo port that crippled work for eleven days, feeder vessels slapped a 40 dollar levy per Twenty foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for a loaded vessel.

Empty vessels were charged at 20 dollars a TEU since July 22 when the strike was called off, with operators saying it was to compensate for delays in clearing the backlog at the port.

"Recognising the importance of the situation and subsequent vessel turnaround at Colombo, the Colombo Cost Recovery of US$ 40 per TEU laden and US$ 20 per TEU empty will be withdrawn from all vessels discharging or sailing Colombo on or after August 10, 2006," feeder vessel operators said in a public notice.

"The situation is being monitored closely and should the situation deteriorate, the participating feeder operators reserve the right to re-introduce the Colombo Cost Recovery at short notice."

Feeder operators said they suffered low productivity and berth delays, with extended stays of up to four of five days, when port tra