Additional RB berthing cost ‘fair’

The decision by the Port
of Richards Bay to charge
an additional berthing cost
when shifting a vessel from
one berth to another inside
the port will not result in a
major cost increase.
Transnet National
Ports Authority last week
announced the increase in
berthing charges for shifting
a vessel within the Port of
Richards Bay as per the
tariff book.
Until now the port
has invoiced only one
berthing charge when a
vessel is moved within the
port along with one craft
assistance charge and one
pilot assistance charge.
With effect from April 1,
the invoice will now be for
two berthing charges and
one pilot charge and one
assistance charge.
While some in the
industry have reacted against
further cost increases, others
are not too fazed by the
TNPA decision, saying it is
only fair to pay for berthing
costs when shifting a vessel
as the linesmen have to untie
the vessel at one berth and
then re-tie it at a second
berth, which is in fact two
services.
According to an industry
source, the average cost for
berthing at Richards Bay
is around R1600 while the
pilotage service is in the
region of R15 000 and the
craft assistance about
R40 000.
“Essentially it means
a cost increase of R1600
when a vessel is shifted and
when one looks at the costs
involved then it really is not
a substantial amount,” said
the source. “Quite honestly
it makes sense for Transnet
to charge for two berthing
charges as that is the service
they are offering.”
According to TNPA
in Richards Bay the
charge will not be applied
retrospectively but rather
with effect from April 1 this
year in line with the tariff
increase date.