Lines will pay 25% more to put a ship alongside

THE SHIPPING lines are anything but happy about the new charges for marine services in the tariff structure just released by the National Port Authority (NPA). (See page 1). "It's costing us about 25% more just to put a ship alongside," said one line executive. "All the new tariffs are about 25% up right across the board. "And you can add to that a new charge of R2 000 for the vessel tracking system (VTS). "A lot of questions need to be asked of Portnet about these new rates." Another line executive agreed. "With this new tariff for VTS - to advise vessels approaching the ports - they are charging us for safe navigation," he said. "And look at the other increases: Tugs, plus 25%; pilotage in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (with Durban "to be advised") up by 147%; moving gangs, plus 25%; landing lines, plus 25%; berth dues up about 26%. "And we no longer just pay for the hire of a mobile crane, we now also have to pay R5 500 just to have it plugged in to its power source. "With increases like this, and no productivity to show for it, who is Portnet kidding?"