Eurogate in court over provincial port dues at Wilhelmshaven terminal
GERMAN port operator Eurogate that runs Europe's newest container terminal at Wilhelmshaven is in court over what it claims are excessive port dues exacted by the provincial government of Lower Saxony's Jade-Weser Port authority.
After opening for business nearly five months ago, Wilhelmshaven, Germany's only deepwater container port - with 18 metres alongside - offers a 70 per cent rebate on its standard tariff of EUR0.32 (US$0.42) per gross tonne for containerships until next December this year, when the rebate falls to 50 per cent until 2018.
But sources tell London's Containerisation International that even with a heavy discount at Wilhelmshaven the port dues are uncompetitive against established rivals. They argue that in the market downturn, a new port must offer less than standard rates until its market share is secure.
But provincial Lower Saxony economics minister Jorg Bode said the rates were "measured and competitive" and said that Eurogate had been "properly involved" in the contract agreement over harbour rates, adding that the port operator would have to show why the rates made it less competitive.
APM Terminals has a 30 per cent stake in the terminal and has docked a 7,450-TEU Maersk ship there, the container port's major customer.
The terminal was to open in August, but cracks appeared in the container handling area, delaying the commencement of operations.
GERMAN port operator Eurogate that runs Europe's newest container terminal at Wilhelmshaven is in court over what it claims are excessive port dues exacted by the provincial government of Lower Saxony's Jade-Weser Port authority.
After opening for business nearly five months ago, Wilhelmshaven, Germany's only deepwater container port - with 18 metres alongside - offers a 70 per cent rebate on its standard tariff of EUR0.32 (US$0.42) per gross tonne for containerships until next December this year, when the rebate falls to 50 per cent until 2018.
But sources tell London's Containerisation International that even with a heavy discount at Wilhelmshaven the port dues are uncompetitive against established rivals. They argue that in the market downturn, a new port must offer less than standard rates until its market share is secure.
But provincial Lower Saxony economics minister Jorg Bode said the rates were "measured and competitive" and said that Eurogate had been "properly involved" in the contract agreement over harbour rates, adding that the port operator would have to show why the rates made it less competitive.
APM Terminals has a 30 per cent stake in the terminal and has docked a 7,450-TEU Maersk ship there, the container port's major customer.
The terminal was to open in August, but cracks appeared in the container handling area, delaying the commencement of operations.