China’s Ministry of Transport and National Development and Reform Commission jointly puplished a notice to reduce port charges starting effectively on 1st April.
The automated container terminal of Shanghai’s Yangshan Port.
Implementing a decision by an executive meeting of the State Council’s to reduce and combine port charges, Ministry of Transport and National Development and Reform Commission launched measures to cut down on the shipper and ship owner’s logistics expenses and promote the optimization of port business environment.
In accordance with the notice, port infrastructure security fee will be no longer set by the government and will be combined into port operation charges.
Pilotage fee for international ships at 18 coastal ports will be lowered, including the port of Shenzhen, Meizhouwan, Rizhao, Jinzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Dalian, Tangshan, Qingdao, Lianyungang, Zhanjiang, Fuzhou, Fangcheng, Weihai, Huanghua, Yantai, Xiamen and Quanzhou. The total reduced charges for those ports are estimated to be around RMB320m per year.
The notice of the government also indicated to optimize port charges policy for China-flag tugboats servicing for Yangtze river ports and expand the ship owner’s autonomous rights to decide whether to use the tugboat or not.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
