Dar es Saalam drops box transfer fees for shippers after review

TANZANIA's Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) has removed handling and transfer charges for containers moved from the seaport to inland container depots, reports the Dar es Salaam Citizen.

When the inland container depots were introduced, The Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) charged movement and storage fees at the depots to shippers and forwarders, said the report.

Some depots are located 10 kilometres from the port and shippers and forwarders objected to the charges for getting them there, arguing they were not responsible for port congestion.

So they complained to regulating agency, Sumatra, and meetings with stakeholders were held, after which instructions were issued to stop all charges associated with handling and transport of containers from the seaport to inland depots.

The regulator said these costs should apply to those running the port and the inland terminals should be considered extensions of the port. Customers should pay the same tariffs regardless of whether their cargo is cleared at the port or at an inland depot, said Sumatra.

"In view of consolidating and harmonising of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), TICTS, and ICD [inland container depot] tariff, ICD handling and container transfer charges are hereby abolished," declared the authority.

(Source: www.schednet.com)