Lithuania's transpmin expects navigation growth after decline in port fees

VILNIUS – Lithuania's Transport and Communication Minister Rokas Masiulis expects that the reduced Klaipeda port fees will have a positive effect on navigation companies and the port by allowing to attract bigger flows of freight and passengers, as well as raise revenue.

According to preliminary calculations, the port should secure 156,000 euros in additional revenue per year.

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Cabinet of ministers approved new port fees, with a lower tariff for freight and passenger ferries entering the port at least once a week. Up until now, the lower tariff was applied to ferries entering the port twice a week.

The new fees are expected to be attractive to new ferry lines, which had been loss-making for some time.

For instance, ro-ro type vessels entering the port once a week (up to eight times per year) will see the fee drop from 8,600 euros to 2,800 euros, while that for ro-pax vessels from 5,900 euros to 3,900 euros.