Jawaharlal Nehru Port affected by union strike

The countryÂ’s largest container handling port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, suffered considerably because of the two-day nation-wide strike called by central trade unions.

The strike also affected the cargo operations at Mumbai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Vizag ports. However, the oil and other liquid terminals at these ports functioned normally, reports suggest.

It is learnt that all the three terminals at JNPT, including the two private terminals were idle with workers staying away.

But ports in Chennai, Kolkata, Haldia and Kandla did not witness much disturbance in the loading and unloading operations. Though attendance was not 100 percent at these ports, it did not affect cargo movement, he said.

According to a Kolkata Port Trust spokesperson, arrival and departure of vessels and cargo handling operations remained “almost 100% normal”. A total of 11 ships departed from the Kolkata and Haldia ports, while 5 arrived at the Haldia dock. Almost 90 percent workers were on duty at Haldia port, Kolkata port saw 85 percent attendance, he added. At the New Mangalore Port, general cargo handling was affected even though mechanized handling continued.

Shekhar Pujari, President of New Mangalore Port StevedoresÂ’ Association said loading of maize and unloading of iron ore fines were hampered by the strike.