Wharfage will go next year,
writes Alan Peat
THE NEW tariff structure - and the alternative, unitary pricing of wharfage - are due to be made public in December/January, according to National Port Authority (NPA) g.m. for trade and logistics, Isabel Laubscher, and should be implemented on April 1 next year.
This confirmed the statement made by NPA c.e.o. Siyabonga Gama in a policy memorandum on the new tariff structures on August 1, where he said NPA would make the new tariff levels available "during the course of 2001".
A primary intention, according to Gama, was to "introduce tariff structures and levels that reflect
the cost of services" and
that are "transparent" and "align with international practice".
NPA is currently conveying the message at workshops around the country, Laubscher told FTW.
"We intend to finish the consultative process this month," she said, "and by November, all our figures have to be put before the Transnet board."
The finally approved structure, therefore, should be ready for public consumption about year-end, Laubscher added.
Queried on the contentious issue of ad valorem wharfage and its proposed replacement with unit-rated "cargo dues", differentiated between cargo types, Laubscher confirmed the demise.
"Ad valorem is to go, with the new wharfage charges (those cargo dues) anything from 10% to 30% of the existing levels."
Nolene Lossau, executive director of the SA Shippers Council, told FTW that the members were delighted to have received written notification from NPA that ad valorem wharfage was on its way out.
The new structure "should be implemented as soon as possible", she said - and April she'll settle for.
"Our only question might be the level at which these new harbour charges are set," she added. "But, if they're too high, we'll soon make ourselves heard."
Dave Rennie, c.e. of Unicorn Lines, and chairman of the Container Liner Operators Forum, is also happy to wait till next April.
He also suggested that the lines face other charges in the structure - the likes of pilotage, tug and berth dues.
But the lines will be happy if NPA sticks to its promise, Rennie added, and looks "to keep a price neutral position".
