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SSA welcomes reduction of Singapore port dues

SSA welcomes reduction of Singapore port dues

Singapore:  SS Teo, president of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), has welcomed the introduction of two local measures designed to help the shipping industry tide over the current economic downturn.

The first is a 10% port dues concession for all ocean-going vessels with a port stay of not more than 10  days, which the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) says will be extended over and above existing port dues concessions already enjoyed by the industry. The concession will apply to all classes of  ocean-going vessels and thereby benefit all sectors of the shipping industry, notes the SSA, further increasing Singapore's competitiveness as a regional maritime hub.

The second measure is a 20% port dues concession for harbour craft engaged in commercial activities within Singapore port waters. The SSA hopes that, by lowering business costs of port and marine services providers - such  as bunker suppliers, ship chandlers, tug boat operators and domestic ferry operators  - some of the savings will be passed on ship operators.

"The SSA is grateful that the MPA has expediently adopted the industry's feedback and  suggestions through our regular dialogue sessions," says Teo. "We will continue to work closely  with the MPA to explore how we can further reduce costs and enhance the  competitiveness of Singapore's maritime industry to ride out the current economic  downturn. I also take this opportunity to urge all private and public sectors to take  heed of MPA's example on how they can help reduce business costs for the shipping  industry to survive this economic crisis."  [13/02/09]