Chamber of Shipping: One Voice reacts to the rise in light dues

Wednesday, 10 June 2009 12:00 AM

The One Voice grouping of maritime services industries are disappointed that the Government has announced increases to Light Dues - the charges levied on ships calling in the UK to fund aids to navigation (lighthouses, buoys and beacons). This comes despite a recognition of the difficulties that will be faced by the shipping and ports industries as a consequence.

"Whilst we welcome the Department for Transport's announcement of a reduction in the proposed increases and the promise of continuing revews, all sectors will be hit by these changes," said Mark Brownrigg, director-general of the Chamber of Shipping. "The Government committed to seek the abolition of the subsidy for Irish Lights in 2004. That action, together with the announced savings from the GLAs, would have removed the need for this damaging increase."

The announced changes will have a significant impact. All sectors will still see an immediate increase of 11.5%, with a further increase next April. The increase in the voyage cap will mean that the short-sea and ferry industries will see a 43% increase in light dues. These sectors are under considerable pressure - with some companies having ceased trading already - yet they are of particular value in the fight both to reduce road congestion and to reduce mankind's CO2 emissions. Any modal shift from shipping will undermine the campaign to decrease global warming.

"The two-stage increase at least gives time for the Government, through the further reviews of the provision and funding of Irish lights and through a strong stance in negotiations with their Irish counterparts, to remove the need for the second stage of rate rises," said Brownrigg. "We hope they will be bold and ambitious in pursuing the CIL reviews and that they will look again at ending a subsidy that they have agreed is entirely inappropriate."

Ends

For further information

OneVoice at: 12 Carthusian Street, London, EC1M 6EZ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7417 2842 or e-mail: info@onevoice.uk.com

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