Panambur: LPG prices in Karnataka may increase as New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has planned to levy anchorage fee on ships bringing LPG loads from foreign countries.
Companies in the state go hunting for gas suppliers as there is a great demand for LPG in the state and get the same by ships. The unloading of LPG takes quite a while and until then the ship has to remain anchored at the port. This consequently causes other ships to wait away from the port for their turn. Presently, there is no anchorage fee being charged at NMPT.
However henceforth, anchorage fee will be charged on such ships according to the new proposal. As of now NMPT has been collecting a port fee of Rs 170 for handling every tonne of LPG.