MOMAF to drive hike of port usage fee 5.1%

Port usage fees will show an average 5.1% hike.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) unveiled on July 23 that it has prepared for an overall port usage rates hike, an abolition of usage fee reductions based on how often shops call at domestic ports, and wharfage reductions on export cargoes.

These revisions will be enacted from this October after discussions amongst related parties.

According to the revised plan, wharfage charges will be divided into three categories, Pusan, Inchon and other ports, and range between 130 to 135 won per ton, up from the current system that charges 128 won a ton.

In addition, wharfage for container cargoes will be adjusted to the TEU unit from tons, costing 4,200 won per TEU from the current 192 won per ton.

Moreover, wharfage fee reduction will be abolished. Until now, those reductions have been based on how often ships call at port, with a 10% discount for general ocean-going vessels that call 4 or more times per year , and container vessels that call 5 or more times. Instead, wharfage for international passenger ferries will be reduced by 30% and decreased by 20% for export cargoes.

An official at MOMAF said, "If the port usage fee is increased, incomes will rise by 10.6% to 220.1 billion won on a yearly basis from the current 199 billion won."