China to reduce port charges from April

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 issued measures to reduce shipper and ship owner’s logistics expenses and promote the optimization of port business environment.

According to the notice, port infrastructure security fee will no longer set by government and will be combined into port operation charges.

Pilotage fee for international vessels at 18 coastal ports will be reduced, 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 also mentioned to optimize 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.com

Writer: Katherine Si