Double the fee for same service

Cargo agents were having to pay a private contractor and the Cargo Handling Company for the same service because the latter had never invested in its own equipment, the Competitiveness Ministry and the Maritime Authority said yesterday.

They were reacting to comments by the Cargo Handling Company which on Monday said it had subcontracted work to a private contractor.

Rather than absorbing the tariffs itself, the ministry said, Cargo Handling requested fees to be paid by agents separately, something which was unauthorised.

Cargo Handling has rejected accusations that it charged excessive fees for the handling of cargo.