The Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved reduction of Klaipėda Seaport dues

 

 

These changes to the regulations of the port dues were suggested in order to maintain the current number of ro-ro ship calls, ensure more favourable conditions for development of new shipping lines, increase competitiveness of Klaipėda port, promote cruise shipping, etc.

 

According to the new procedure aimed at attracting more cruise ships, vessels calling at Klaipėda more than once in a calendar year will be given discounts sooner. Cruise ships will receive 20% discount not on the third but already on the second call at Klaipėda port, and 50% discount – not on the ninth but on the fourth call. Considering the experience of the neighbouring ports, lower dues are expected to double the number of cruise ships calling at Klaipėda.

 

It is also planned to reduce the dues for tramp cargo vessels (ro-ro) and liner passenger ferries (ro-pax), designed to carry wheeled vehicles, and for tramp container ships. Such vessels operate under spot voyage charters that each time are being sought after by several competing neighbouring ports.

 

Dues for cargo vessels (ro-ro) calling to Klaipėda port at least twice a week will be reduced to the same rate that is applied to ro-pax ferries. Thus, the same rates of dues will be applied to freight vessels as to analogous liner passenger ferries – creating favourable conditions for development of shipping lines.  

 

Klaipėda Seaport has a huge potential to operate more freight shipping lines. Freight shipping lines transporting vehicles could connect Klaipėda port with the ports of the Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain. Already at present, wheeled vehicles are the third largest cargo group handled at Klaipėda port after oil products and fertilizers.

 

To avoid unprofitable voyages when carrying relatively small shipments by ro-ro vessels and ro-pax ferries, tonnage dues will be reduced at half the rates when quantity of handled cargo is less than half of ship’s tonnage. Calculations show that this quantity corresponds to approximately 75 freight vehicles – trailers, roll trailers, containers on the chassis, or rail wagons. In cases when the number of loaded or unloaded ro-ro cargo units is less than 75, the dues for number of loaded or unloaded ro-ro units will be decreased  to 50%.

 

 

 

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority

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