A showdown appears imminent as trading parties clash with Adani Hazira Port Pvt Ltd (HPPL), India's largest private port operator, over its decision to impose additional charges on container cargo station (CFS) operators, effective September 8 at the port of Gujarat.

On August 25, Adani Hazira Port, a subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), issued a customer advisory outlining its intention to charge additional fees. The additional cost would be up to Rs2,500 for a 20 ft container and Rs4,000 for 40 and 45 ft containers when import-loaded containers are transported to a CFS as designated by shipping companies.

In addition, Adani Hazira Port has mandated that CFS operators maintain a Pre-Deposit Account (PDA) balance at the terminal from September 8 to facilitate billing for the import-laden container nomination fees. As of now, none of the five CVS operators currently operating in the port of Hazira have initiated the process of opening a PDA account, leading to potential complications in the delivery of import-laden containers, according to sources.

This move by Adani Hazira Port has led to concern and dissatisfaction within the trading community, paving the way for a possible standoff between the port operator and CFS operators in the coming days.