Independent journal on economy and transport policy
03:03 GMT+2
CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE STUDI CONTAINERS
ANNO XXXVIII - Numero MARZO 2020
PORTS AND TERMINALS
CHINA LOWERS SERVICE CHARGES AT PORTS
"Medical workers after curing patients at the Wuchang
temporary hospital in Wuhan, on 10 March. Image: Xinhua"
China will lower the service charges of ports to optimise the
business environment and encourage logistics firms to resume
operations, as coronavirus begins to loosen its hold on the country.
The order was made in an circular issued by the Ministry of
Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission,
stating port charges for cargo and facilities security will be cut
by 20% from 1 March to 30 June.
The measure is expected to save enterprises and shippers about
US54.87m, said the circular, reported by government website
China.org.cn.
Mandatory emergency response fees for cargo ships other than oil
tankers will also be cancelled.
Cooperation between ports, shipping companies and cargo owners
should be strengthened and port operators are encouraged to give
preferential treatment to small and micro enterprises affected by
the novel coronavirus outbreak, noted the circular.
In the meantime, the circular called for stronger supervision
over the international shipping and port markets, and a crackdown on
illegal activities.
On Thursday 12 March, a government spokesperson said the peak of
the current outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in
China is over, reported state-run press agency Xinhua.
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