The new CPA terminal tariff rates published in the Commonwealth Register took effect on May 19.
According to CPA, its current debt service ratio fell to .843 as of Aug. 5, 2008 and the situation requires cost-recovery measures.
“Any further delay in cost recovery for any rates or fees would threaten the public welfare with the specter of a default and acceleration of the balance of approximately $35 million due and/or a takeover in management of the Saipan Seaport resulting in even more increased fees, more detrimental to the public,” CPA said.
In 1998 and 2005, CPA floated bonds to finance its seaport projects. These bonds must be paid annually with interest.
Effective this month, CPA’s wharfage rates will be $11.40 per revenue ton. Cargo for liquid petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, bunkers, among others, that are off-loaded or onloaded by pipeline will be charged $8.55 per revenue ton.
If the CNMI is not the final destination of the cargo, CPA will not charge the full wharfage rate but only $2.38 per revenue ton.
All vessels, except military and government-owned, will also pay a port entry fee based on their tonnage.
Vessels of 1,000 registered gross tons and under will be charged a $220.40 port entry fee and $438.90 for vessels weighing above 1,000 gross tons.
Each additional 2,000 gross tons will be charged an additional $220.40.
The dockage charges are also increased based on the vessel’s overall length. The American Bureau of Shipping or Lloyd’s Register of Ships or any other recognized classification will be used as a guide to determine the dockage charge for vessels calling port in the CNMI.
Fees range between $199.50 to $2,065.30. Additional charges will be added based on the period of time the vessels used any of the CNMI seaports.
CPA said its commercial docks and wharves are intended for active loading and unloading of vessels.
“It is therefore the policy of [CPA] to discourage inefficient use of the limited space at the commercial docks and wharves of the commonwealth, by providing surcharge for vessels moored or docked there which are not actively engaged in loading or unloading. [CPA] further finds that the principal source of abuse of dock privileges are fishing vessels.”
The regulations said an overstaying vessel will be charged $300 per 24-hour or a fraction thereof for each excess day that it remains at the port.
Motherships, including but not limited to refrigerated cargo vessels carrying or intending to carry fish, must advise CPA of their length of stay or they will pay a surcharge of $300 per day.
CPA said it will also start imposing fees for vessels hooking up with its power supply.
A bunker fee of $0.86 per barrel for residual oil and $1.43 per barrel for diesel fuel will be assessed for all suppliers of oil for bunkering at the port.
