NPA postpones new tariff implementation

THE NATIONAL Ports Authority will postpone the implementation of its new tariffs and structures from April 1 to May 1, 2002. ThatÕs the word from NPA CEO Siyabonga Gama who told FTW that the new tariffs would be made available by the end of this month. Following extensive client consultation during 2001 on the principles and objectives of tariff reform, agreement was reached at a conference in Cape Town during March 2001. "The remainder of the year was taken up in calculating the new tariffs and presenting the results to the shareholders for final approval," said Gama. "This process, which entailed NPA asset validation, documentation changes, economic forecasting and viability modelling has caused an unexpected delay. To ensure that the new tariffs can be implemented with minimal disruption, implementation has been delayed by one month."