Port charges to be increased

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has made the decision to increase its port charges.

Among the changes made to the charges on the vessels loading/ unloading goods from other Atolls at the Male’ Northern harbor, the most significant increases are for the key vol fee, sticker for vehicle entrance, price of water, storage fee and vehicle rentals.

MPL has also decided to increase several charges made at the Male’ Commercial Harbor by 15 percent from next month. This decision comes after cutting the current fuel surcharge.

A tariff list made public today by the company said that starting in February, key vol fee will be based on the amount of time a vessel docks at the harbor for loading/ unloading. Earlier, this fee was based on performance.

CEO of MPL Hussein Hilmy said today that the fees are increased as a measure to provide sustainable services, following a general increase in prices.

“We have to increase the charges, due to the increase in the prices of products. This is how the quality of our services can be maintained. The speed of our services will be improved following these changes,” Hilmy said.

According to MPL, a vessel which docks for less than three days at Zone A will be charged 52 laari per meter per hour. If the time exceeds three days, the charge is Rf 1.04 per meter per hour.

In Zone B, Rf 1.04 will be charged per meter per hour for vessels docked for less than three days, and Rf 2.08 for those exceeding three days. For Zone C the respective charges are Rf 1.04 and Rf 2.08.

Considering the fees for entrance into the port, Rf 5.19 per day will be charged on cars entering the port. For pick-ups and vans, the amount is Rf 10.38 per month.

MPL has increased its price of water to Rf 127.36 per ton, and the fee for the entrance of a four-ton fork lift is now Rf 707.55 per hour.