Light dues increase comes under heavy fire in the Lords
Having to pay more could mean vessels won't call at UK ports
The UK government’s plan to increase the amount shipping lines pay in lighthouse dues was again criticised in the House of Lords today (5 February).
During a debate on the government’s plan to increase carrier contributions to light dues by 80% this year, to make up for a funding shortfall of £21m (US$32m), Lord Berkeley pointed out that the UK was still contributing £15m towards the Republic of Ireland’s lighthouse fund.
Berkeley, who is chairman of the Rail Freight Group, said that the increase in fees would make shipping lines reconsider calling at UK ports.
“I believe these increases are unaffordable in the current economic conditions,” he told the House.
“A subsidy to fund navigation aids in another member state is unique in Europe.
“Successive ministers have argued that we have a common sea area between the UK and Ireland and we need to make sure that the lights work for the benefit of ships coming into our ports.
“But we don’t fund lights in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark or Norway, so why does the UK fund those of Ireland?”
Berkeley added that the three UK lighthouse authorities’ budgets could come under closer scrutiny to see if savings could be made.
He also hit out at a report commissioned by the government to consider the effect of increasing light dues.
Written by Raven Trading, the report believes carriers would not be put off by the increases.
Berkeley said Raven sub-contracted to a company with a partner that was also a Commissioner of Irish Lights, and, he added, it had only consulted one shipping company.
The light dues increases are coming under scrutiny as part of the Marine Navigation Aids Bill, currently making its way through the legislative process.
Lord Berkeley’s speech in full: see Tuesday’s IFW bulletin
During a debate on the government’s plan to increase carrier contributions to light dues by 80% this year, to make up for a funding shortfall of £21m (US$32m), Lord Berkeley pointed out that the UK was still contributing £15m towards the Republic of Ireland’s lighthouse fund.
Berkeley, who is chairman of the Rail Freight Group, said that the increase in fees would make shipping lines reconsider calling at UK ports.
“I believe these increases are unaffordable in the current economic conditions,” he told the House.
“A subsidy to fund navigation aids in another member state is unique in Europe.
“Successive ministers have argued that we have a common sea area between the UK and Ireland and we need to make sure that the lights work for the benefit of ships coming into our ports.
“But we don’t fund lights in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark or Norway, so why does the UK fund those of Ireland?”
Berkeley added that the three UK lighthouse authorities’ budgets could come under closer scrutiny to see if savings could be made.
He also hit out at a report commissioned by the government to consider the effect of increasing light dues.
Written by Raven Trading, the report believes carriers would not be put off by the increases.
Berkeley said Raven sub-contracted to a company with a partner that was also a Commissioner of Irish Lights, and, he added, it had only consulted one shipping company.
The light dues increases are coming under scrutiny as part of the Marine Navigation Aids Bill, currently making its way through the legislative process.
Lord Berkeley’s speech in full: see Tuesday’s IFW bulletin
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