Importers and exporters are appealing to the government to intervene after a substantial increase in port tariffs was announced by the operators of Valletta Gateway terminals.
The operators, who took over the cargo handling facilities from the General Workers’ Union a few years ago, have informed clients that as from September 1, a new tariff structure reflecting inflation will apply to all domestic cargo.
An irritated major client, who has been importing goods into this country for decades, yesterday told Times of Malta: “The new tariffs are exorbitant and will continue to decrease Malta’s competitiveness.
This goes against the Prime Minister’s recent declarations that port rates should go down as we are losing our competitiveness
“A 40-foot trailer will now cost almost €10 more in cargo handling charges: an increase of 2.6 per cent.
“For just cargo handling – which means the simple operation of unloading a container from a ship on to the quay – we will have to start paying almost €327. This is more than what we pay for bringing the container all the way from Italy.”
Contacted by this newspaper, major stakeholders connected to port business including the GRTU, the association of ship agents, the association of groupage containers and the association of car importers confirmed they were informed of the firm’s unilateral decision a few days ago.
GRTU president Paul Abela, whose association represents cargo haulers, said they were not consulted by the port’s operator or Transport Malta.
“It seems that Transport Malta has just approved this increase without even having the decency to consult us.
“This is not on and goes against the Prime Minister’s recent declarations that port rates should go down as we are losing our competitiveness.”
Efforts made to contact Transport Malta’s chairman James Piscopo for his reaction proved futile until the time of going to print.
Mr Piscopo did not return calls or reply to messages.
Times of Malta is informed that a similar proposal to increase the port tariffs of the Freeport – which is Malta’s only other major port – was recently blocked by the regulator.