GPMH (Grand Port Maritime du Havre) has decided to freeze harbor dues for containerships, for the third consecutive year. This decision underlines GPMH’s will to offer its customers, the shipowners, an attractive pricing policy, in a hard economic environment.
The decision to freeze harbour dues for containers in 2012 is made after two successive freezes in 2010 and 2011. It aims at facilitating the return of confidence by container shipping lines and helping recapture containerised trades, a move initiated since the implementation of the French port reform.
This move of the port authority in favour of shipping lines is in line with a continuity process. GPMH has indeed decided, within the scope of the Environmental Ship Index, to encourage the shipping companies operating most « environment-friendly » ships in Le Havre. In force from January 1st, 2012, the reward will account for up to the equivalent of 10 % of port dues, according to the conditions set up in Le Havre. Harbour dues: what for? - This is a fee for a service provided by the port authority to port users. - They cover the use of equipment (port infrastructures, maritime access ways, inland connections…), related services (aids to navigation) and their management. - They contribute to the continuous improvement of the Le Havre port supply by making it possible to carry out main investment works in the port.