Kolkata seeks damages from HBT
There is speculation in the media that the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has approached the high court to seek damages from ABG Haldia Bulk Terminals (HBT) for the losses it suffered following the operator pulling out of the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) agreement on 31 October 2012.
According to Business Standard, HBT is said to have suspended operations at the HDC, breaking a 10 year contract, due to law and order issues and alleged adverse vested interests from port authorities. But, it has also been reported that the immediate trigger for HBT’s pull-out was the abduction of three of its officials which happened even after the company paid US$31,000 (Rs 17 lakh) for the deployment of police personnel at Haldia Dock on 28 October 2012.
As a result of lost operators KoPT is said to be seeking a minimum compensation of US$43m (Rs233 crore). The Trust has based its claim on its estimated financial loss over the next seven years, which it believes will total US$184m (Rs1,000 crore).
HBT has reportedly been trying to remove its equipment, which has resulted in KoPT filing a damages claim to Calcutta High Court. HBT is also thought to have approached the court seeking compensation of US$29m (Rs160 crore) surrounding the matter.
HBT, a joint venture between ABG-LDA Bulk Handling Pvt Ltd and KoPT, previously handled around 5.5 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo at berths 2 and 8 at HDC.
Both HBT and KoPT were unavailable for comment.
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