Manila to cut port fees

Manila to cut port fees

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines had agreed to halve port fees
charged to vessels plying the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA), the
presidential palace said yesterday.

Based on a presidential memorandum signed on June 19, port
dues would be reduced to $0.020 per gross tonnage from the
previous $0.040 for ships plying the area.

The rate reduction was based on an initial agreement between
Philippine and Indonesian officials who wanted to adopt a uniform
tariff for ships plying the ports of the EAGA which groups Brunei
and provinces in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The tariff cuts were designed to boost shipping activities
within the area, the palace statement said.