23-Mar-2018
VESSEL ARRIVAL CHARGE TO INCREASE
Australia
TARIFF INCREASES FOR 2018/19
South Africa
Vessel arrival charge to increase
Friday, March 23, 2018, Australia
The arrival charge for vessels >25m at Australian ports will rise from $720 per arrival to $920 per arrival. This increase is expected to be applied from 1 May 2018.
According to the industry notice advising the increase, this is due to the fact that the seaports program is not recovering its costs. The actual number of vessel arrivals have been substantially lower than modelled in the 2015-16 Biosecurity CRIS, resulting in revenue being less than required for the program.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for the implementation and management of Australia’s obligation under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments. To meet these obligations, regulatory measures were introduced in September 2017 to reduce the spread of invasive marine species. This has increased the Biosecurity arrangements cost base.
For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Tariff increases for 2018/19
Friday, March 23, 2018, South Africa
The Port Regulator of South Africa has approved an increase to Transnet National Ports Authority (NPA) tariffs averaging 2.5% for the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.
The tariffs for 2018/19 are to increase as follows:
- marine services and related tariffs (Sections 1-8 of the Tariff Book, excluding Section 7 that deals with cargo dues) to increase by 8.5%;
- coal export cargo dues to increase by 8.5%;
- container cargo dues – no increase (0%);
- RoRo tariffs – no increase (0%);
- all other cargo dues to increase by 5.4%;
all break-bulk tariffs are capped at R100/ton
In line with the previous years’ decision, all marine tariffs (Sections 1-8 of the Tariff Book, excluding Section 6 and 7 that deal with ship repair and cargo dues respectively) for existing commercial South African flagged cargo vessels as well as those registered in South Africa in 2016/17 will receive a 30% discount applicable year-on-year up to 31 March 2019. Those registered in South Africa in 2017/18 will receive a 20% discount up to 31 March 2019 and similarly those registered in 2018/19 will receive a 10% discount up to 31 March 2019. Thereafter, the discount will be reviewed.
These reductions only apply to vessels registered as part of chapter 4, part 1 of the Ships Registration Act (58 of 1998) but excludes the following vessels:
1. All “small” vessels as defined in the Merchant Shipping Act
2. All “fishing” vessels as defined in the Merchant Shipping Act
3. All non-cargo working vessels
For information about operations in South Africa contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
