Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) plans to change the way it charges vessel operators from next summer, IFW reports citing the HPA's executives.
HPA said prices would partially be calculated on the number of containers loaded and unloaded on a vessel and partially on the current system, which is based on vessel size.
It was adjusting its pricing to “meet the demand of shipping companies and ship brokers to use handling volumes as a criterion to calculate port dues”, it said, as already happens in Rotterdam, for example.
HPA MD Jens Meier said: “We will all benefit. In boom times, the port’s revenue will rise, and in times of crisis, customers will save costs as port dues will be lower.”
Talks are being held with harbour and shipping associations, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, and in the spring, a joint implementation concept will be worked out.
From 1 February, amended terms and conditions of business will come into force and the new system will be effective in the summer. The current pricing system will continue until then.
“Right now, we are discussing with the associations how to transfer data. Based on the outcome, we will work out the tariff,” said Meier.
HPA has also announced that it will introduce an environmental discount on port dues.
From the start of next year, discounts will be offered to more environmentally friendly vessels, based on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) – an international standard that allows comparison of ship emissions.
Earlier this year, several other European ports announced that cleaner vessels would receive discounts on port dues next year, as a reward for being green.
From 1 January, the Dutch ports of Amsterdam, Moerdijk, Dordrecht and Rotterdam will reduce rates for vessels that score well on the ESI.
It is understood Rotterdam will offer a rebate of 5%, while Amsterdam will offer a rebate of €300 (US$426) on port dues of €8,000.
Antwerp and Bremen have also announced their intention to use the ESI.