India is considering scrapping terminal handling charges (THC) at its ports.

This comes in the wake of a similar decision made by Sri Lanka's prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Live Mint reports.

THC's are generally used by ports to add the costs of handling, such as loading containers, to the shipping company using it, which in turn typically passes the expense to the customer.

As such, this can be a regular source of revenue for shipping companies and dockyards, but an additional expense for anyone looking to distribute goods via this method.

Speaking during November's budget speech, Mr Rajapaksa said: "In order to prevent monopoly pricing in the shipping trade, no shipping line will be permitted to levy terminal handling and other charges in addition to freight and specified international charges for container cargo."

Before Sri Lanka, Bangladesh suspended the practice of THCs at its ports and, if subsequent activity is anything to go by, it could potentially be a growing trend across the Asian maritime sector.