New cargo handling tariffs that will come into effect on Tuesday at Grand Harbour and the Freeport should lead to savings ranging from Lm1 to Lm23 when compared to the current average rates, data released by the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) yesterday shows.

The tariff regime at the port and the closure of a payments office in Marsa led to a three-day stoppage by hauliers at the beginning of this month.

The office issue was ironed out when it was decided to open one in Valletta but claims of higher tariffs persisted. The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU complained that the new tariffs regime was not clear.

The Federation of Industry complained on Thursday that confusion still reigns.

The MMA said the new consolidated tariffs were being published after talks with cargo handling operators and the Ship Agents' Association. The consolidated tariffs include a terminal operator charge and regulated service providers costs.

The total bill for the import and export of domestic cargo included the consolidated tariff together with the service documentation and processing (SDP) fee payable to ship agents and also payment for the transport of cargo from and to the ports.

The MMA said talks with the Ship Agents' Association covered guidelines on the SDP fee and also the new operating system at the ports.

It said that at this stage of the port reform and as a result of the talks held over the past weeks, the total cargo handling costs "should go down" when compared to the average charges for the same cargo as of tomorrow.

The port reform, the MMA added, would continue in the weeks ahead when talks with all the entities involved in both ports would be held.

"It is expected that these talks will lead to cuts in that part of the consolidated tariff connected to the regulated service provided costs. This drop in cargo handling costs should be conducive to increased competitiveness at the ports to the benefit of industry and the consumer," the MMA said.

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