Africa-Press – Seychelles. The Seychelles Ports Authority has said the berthing fee that will be applicable to boat operators under the Harbour (Port and Harbour Dues) Regulations, is the same one applicable since 2013, and there is no increase in fees.
The chief executive of the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), Sony Payet, made the statement yesterday at his headquarters in Victoria, when giving details on the Harbour (Port and Harbour Dues) Regulations, approved by the cabinet of ministers last week. It followed a meeting last Friday between SPA and boat operators on Praslin and La Digue.
The dues are applicable to vessels berthing alongside the quay for the collection or landing of goods and passengers. There was a derogation from March 2022 to 2023, where they did not pay normal fees outside of regular hours.
Mr Payet explained following consultations with the boat operators, it was agreed the derogation will now be removed, since economic activities have gone back to normal.
“In March this year, we sat and discussed how to go forward with the derogation. We talked about the fees and what other things that would be provided for their benefits and all the stakeholders agreed,” said Mr Payet.
He explained the fees will be based on the capacity of the vessel, which is calculated by gross tonnage.
“The capacity of the vessels using our ports are between zero and 200 gross tonnage. The fee applicable per hour while berthing during the day from 5am to 7pm is from R60 to R110 based on their tonnage,” explained Mr Payet.
According to SPA, zero to 30 gross tonnage will incur SR60.00 for the first two hours and each subsequent period of one hour or part thereof will be R110.
For vessels from 30 to 100 gross tonnage, the first six hours or part thereof will be R110, while each subsequent period of one hour or part thereof will be R210.
This is also applicable to vessels from 100 to 200 gross tonnage and those exceeding 200 gross tonnage.
Mr Payet explained that after 7pm, when no work is being carried out, the fee will be R15 per hour. This fee is also applicable over the weekends. “However there is no fee on public holidays. This was not included in the 2013 regulation, so it is something we have included to further help the businesses,” stated Mr Payet.
As for the use of ramp for the unloading and loading of goods, SPA is charging R400 for the first 30 minutes. The ensuing two hours or part thereof is R1,500. Each subsequent two hours or part thereof is R2,500 per two hours.
The derogation implied a 60% discount of the rates prescribed for the usage of ramp for the purpose of loading and unloading of goods.
The SPA said it expects to collect between 5 and 6 million rupees annually when the regulation is applied fully.
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