Shipowners slam 'minor adjustment' in light dues hike
Reduction of increase in charges to fund lighthouses not enough
Shipowners have slammed the UK government’s reduction of the fees they must pay to fund lighthouses in the UK and Ireland as just a “minor adjustment”.
Shipping minister Paul Clark yesterday announced that from 1 April shipowners would be required to pay light dues of 41p (US$0.65) per net registered tonne (nrt) instead of the 43p previously announced.
The Independent Light Dues Forum (ILDF), made up of shipowners APL UK, HMM, K Line Europe, Maersk, MOL, NYK, Grimaldi and Wallenius Wilhelmsen, was unimpressed, given that last year the fees increased from 35p to 39p per nrt.
Clark confirmed that the maximum number of chargeable voyages a year would rise from seven to nine, with the upper tonnage threshold rising from 35,000nrt to 40,000nrt to reflect an increase in vessel sizes, and the maximum amount payable for a port call will rise by £8,250 to £20,500.
Mark Bookham, ILDF chairman, said: “Today’s announcement is a minor adjustment to last year’s double increase in the light dues and still hits shipowners on two fronts, as the increases in the tonnage cap and maximum calls remain in place.
Shipowners claim the increase in light dues will put operators off calling at UK ports.
They would like the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) to cut costs and the UK government to withdraw the £15 million of funding given to the Republic of Ireland to help finance its lighthouses.
Clark said the decision had been made following the publication of the Atkins report, which assessed the way navigation aids are funded.
The report recommends the creation of a GLA Joint Strategic Board to drive efficiencies; the use of an annual target reduction calculator for GLA running costs; and the development of a “roadmap” agreed with the Irish government on the financing of the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Bookham said: “The Atkins report has delivered a set of recommendations, but now it is time for the government to stop vacillating and bring about the swift implementation of any proposals which will deliver a more efficient service for shipowners.”
Shipping minister Paul Clark yesterday announced that from 1 April shipowners would be required to pay light dues of 41p (US$0.65) per net registered tonne (nrt) instead of the 43p previously announced.
The Independent Light Dues Forum (ILDF), made up of shipowners APL UK, HMM, K Line Europe, Maersk, MOL, NYK, Grimaldi and Wallenius Wilhelmsen, was unimpressed, given that last year the fees increased from 35p to 39p per nrt.
Clark confirmed that the maximum number of chargeable voyages a year would rise from seven to nine, with the upper tonnage threshold rising from 35,000nrt to 40,000nrt to reflect an increase in vessel sizes, and the maximum amount payable for a port call will rise by £8,250 to £20,500.
Mark Bookham, ILDF chairman, said: “Today’s announcement is a minor adjustment to last year’s double increase in the light dues and still hits shipowners on two fronts, as the increases in the tonnage cap and maximum calls remain in place.
Shipowners claim the increase in light dues will put operators off calling at UK ports.
They would like the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) to cut costs and the UK government to withdraw the £15 million of funding given to the Republic of Ireland to help finance its lighthouses.
Clark said the decision had been made following the publication of the Atkins report, which assessed the way navigation aids are funded.
The report recommends the creation of a GLA Joint Strategic Board to drive efficiencies; the use of an annual target reduction calculator for GLA running costs; and the development of a “roadmap” agreed with the Irish government on the financing of the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Bookham said: “The Atkins report has delivered a set of recommendations, but now it is time for the government to stop vacillating and bring about the swift implementation of any proposals which will deliver a more efficient service for shipowners.”
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