Shipping Australia is both shocked and profoundly disappointed at the news that there will be an unwarranted 25% increase in charges on shipping in Western Australia.
The McGowan administration media statement reads: “Pilbara Ports Authority to increase tonnage charges at the Port Hedland port by 25 per cent in 2021-22… the Pilbara Ports Authority charges at Port Hedland port will increase by 25 per cent, which combined with revised export volumes is expected to raise around $195 million over the next four years”.
This charge hike particularly excessive given that the rate of inflation (CPI) for the March 2021 quarter is a mere 0.6%.
The imposition of new charges is particularly unreasonable given that the McGowan administration has recently imposed huge charges (Port Hedland Voluntary Buyback Scheme Charges) on vessels calling at the Pilbara.
The shipping industry further condemns these horrendous new charges because, as far as we are aware, there has been no consultation with the shipping industry prior to the Premier’s announcement on Monday 31 May 2021.
The shipping industry is of the view that, given the huge profits being made by the iron ore industry in WA, then the McGowan administration could have easily targeted the mining industry for any new revenue-raising measures. However, the McGowan administration has – typically – targeted the shipping industry simply because it is an easy target that cannot fight back against these unfair and unjust charges.
What can we say? It’s just another day in WA.
