Liberia to Receive Preferential Flag Status with Respect to Chinese Tonnage Dues
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Pursuant to the Maritime Transport Agreement signed between the Republic of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China on 3 November 2015, Liberia will be added to the preferential list of countries when determining the tonnage dues for vessels calling Chinese ports effective as from 14 February 2016.
The Agreement serves to further develop friendly relations between the two governments and strengthen their cooperation in the field of maritime transport on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, freedom of navigation and the principle of non-discrimination.
In view of the aforementioned, ship-owners of Liberian registered vessels will be charged tonnage dues when visiting any port in the PRC at precisely the same rate as tonnage dues charged to vessels that are lawfully registered and flagged with the PRC.
Within the limits of applicable laws and regulations, the cognizant Chinese authority will take all appropriate measures to facilitate and expedite maritime transport to avoid unnecessary delay of Liberian vessels, and simplify and expedite as much as possible the relevant customs and other port formalities of vessels, including those concerning access to existing reception facilities for waste from ships.
Liberian vessels shall be granted favorable treatment in respect of collection of tonnage dues.
Specifically, Liberian registered vessels will be charged tonnage dues when visiting any port in the PRC at published Preferential Rate, which for avoidance of doubt is the same rate as tonnage dues charged to vessels that are lawfully registered and flagged with the PRC.