Another meeting, but surcharge stays for now

Ray Smuts SALDANHA PORT manager Eugene Kearns last week met with ASABOSA to explain the thinking behind the National Port Authority's recent imposition of an Ôafter hours' surcharge. He told FTW the meeting had taken place in a cordial spirit but declined to be drawn on the nature of the discussions, save to say that talks would be ongoing. It is safe to assume, however, that the reason for the surcharge - the need for marine services to remain financially viable - was explained to agents as had been the case with cargo owner representatives when they met with senior NPA officials in Johannesburg the previous week. In an e-mail message to this correspondent prior to the agents' meeting on Friday, Kearns reiterated the NPA's stance that the hours of operation and the surcharge of R10 000 were justified. He once again gave the assurance that marine services would be available on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis. "The surcharge stays for now. We are, together with customers, continuing to look at options available to come to an ultimate acceptable solution to all parties including ships agents and their principals and discussions are continuing in this regard."