PORTS within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are raising container handling charges amid a shortage of manpower and berthing space prompted by the growth in traffic.
Higher port charges come as the cost of handling containers of all sizes is said to have increased by 60 per cent on average over the past 18 months, according to a report by Emirates Business 24/7, which added that it is leading to an overall hike in container freight charges.
It said that among the ports affected by the higher operational costs are Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Port Khalid and Khorfakkan in Sharjah, and Fujairah port.
The report said that the cost of handling a loaded TEU at Jebel Ali Port has risen to AED750 (US$204) from AED380 in February last year, and to AED870 from AED460 for a loaded FEU.
For Port Khalid and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), which typically handle regional trade as well as container shipments destined for Asia and Africa, the charges for handling a loaded TEU have risen to AED475 from AED280 last year and to AED700 from AED430 for a loaded FEU, the report added.
Higher port charges come as the cost of handling containers of all sizes is said to have increased by 60 per cent on average over the past 18 months, according to a report by Emirates Business 24/7, which added that it is leading to an overall hike in container freight charges.
It said that among the ports affected by the higher operational costs are Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Port Khalid and Khorfakkan in Sharjah, and Fujairah port.
The report said that the cost of handling a loaded TEU at Jebel Ali Port has risen to AED750 (US$204) from AED380 in February last year, and to AED870 from AED460 for a loaded FEU.
For Port Khalid and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), which typically handle regional trade as well as container shipments destined for Asia and Africa, the charges for handling a loaded TEU have risen to AED475 from AED280 last year and to AED700 from AED430 for a loaded FEU, the report added.