Alexandria Port Authority Implements Fee Increases Amid Shipping Company Concerns
Shipping Arabia, October 21, 2024 — The Alexandria Port Authority has rolled out a new fee structure, raising alarms among shipping and stevedoring companies due to the absence of corresponding improvements in services. This change has stirred significant unease within the industry, particularly regarding its potential impact on the costs of importing goods like grains and vehicles.
Representatives from various stevedoring companies have expressed their dissatisfaction to Al-Mal, indicating that the increased fees are likely to translate into higher consumer prices without any enhancement in the port’s services. The new fee schedule includes a monthly charge of 2 EGP per square meter for yard space, 3 EGP for building usage, and escalating fees for newly imported vehicles, starting at 10 EGP per vehicle and increasing every ten days.
Furthermore, the port has instituted charges for electronic bill insurance, set at 50 EGP per accounting invoice, along with an administrative fee of 5% of the invoice value, capped at 1,000 EGP. Additional fees for radiation monitoring services for certain goods are set at 1 EGP per ton, while charges for fire insurance are being contested by companies that claim to manage these services independently.
Ahmed Shawky, head of the Stevedoring Committee at the Alexandria Chamber of Shipping, noted that these fees have been in place since July, following a decision by the port’s board. He highlighted that the port authority does not engage in radiation monitoring, which is conducted by external companies, raising questions about the rationale behind such charges.
Critics argue that these fees appear to be more focused on increasing the port authority’s revenues rather than reflecting genuine service improvements or actual costs. This viewpoint is shared by a commercial manager who warned that the port’s unilateral imposition of these fees undermines its competitiveness and could divert shipping traffic to other regional ports.
Rania Fathi, a local shipping agency owner, voiced concerns regarding the new storage fees for imported vehicles, which escalate over time and significantly burden importers with higher costs.
The shipping community is advocating for a more transparent and equitable fee structure at Alexandria Port, emphasizing the need for charges that align with the actual services provided. A meeting between stevedoring companies and the port authority is scheduled to further discuss these issues and seek a resolution that balances the operational needs of the port with the interests of businesses reliant on its facilities.
