CHITTAGONG. Oct 15: Chittagong Port authority (CPA) lias suspended operation of private equipment Owned by a shipping agency here following a row over huge amount of charges claimed for the use of those, sources concerned said.

The dispute arose after QC Shipping Agency claimed charges of about Tk 20 crore from CPA for the use of its equipment.

Use of the equipment was suspended on October 1. the sources added.

Besides, the two sides are now locked in a legal battle.

The shipping agency filed a case after CPA refused to settle its claim.

Port sources said the agency made the claim violating a contract between the two sides when those equipment were put Into operation in July 1997

only to handle QC vessels.

As per the contract, the shipping agency could not clattn any charges because Ihe equipment were brought only for handling its vessels against the backdrop of equipment crisis at Chittagong port.

But after using the equipment for about two years, the shipping agency started claiming charges in violation of the contract, the sources said.

When contacted, an official of the shipping agency said. "The claim of tariff against those equipment procured at a cost of Taka 13 crore was justified as per provisions of port gazette.

"We cannot sustain operation of our expensive equipment free of charges and that is why we are battling for our claim."

The equipment included four forklifts. 10 prime-overs and 24 chassis, he said.

These private equipment of QC Shipping Agency owned by BNP MP Salauddin Kader Chowdhury were allowed to operate in the face of resistance from the port's CBA leaders and other dock union bodies. The port workers agitated against any move for privatisation.