Venezuela hikes port charges

Ports in Venezuela introduced a series of new port taxes in June, some with a 300% hike.According to the National Ports Authority, Bolipuertos, which assumed responsibility for ports in 2009, previously, private operators fixed rates "in violation of humanitarian principles and moral ethics", Port Strategy reports.
The new rates are 250%-300% higher than those they replaced. The Cabello Port Chamber of Commerce warned that the new fees in tandem with devaluation will boost the current inflationary spiral in Venezuela.