Melbourne Wharfage Fees Set For A Huge Hike

by David Sexton - last modified May 29, 2012 12:34 PM

The cost of moving containers through the Port of Melbourne is set to rise.

Port of Melbourne management today announced its Reference Tariff Schedule for fees to apply from July 1, with the RTS including the PLF.
According to PoMC, wharfage fees from loaded TEUs will increase by $21.10 to $61.20 plus GST, while empty TEUs will increase by $5.20 to $15.20 (52%).

“Motor vehicle fees will increase by an average of $12.48 per motor vehicle to $36.14 plus GST,” PoMC said in a statement.

About 33% of each charge relates to the recovery of the PLF, the PoMC has stated.

The PLF is expected to net the State Government between $70m and $80m in its first year.

PoMC chief executive Stephen Bradford said the port had sought to be up-front with customers.

“After extensive consultation and modelling, we concluded that the fairest and most equitable means of accommodating the PLF was to apply its recovery across all trade sectors,” he said.

“Any exemptions would mean a greater impost on another trade sector.”

The PLF has been introduced to replace the previous Labor Government’s Freight Infrastructure Charge which was imposed on trucks.

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