How can shipping save port usage fees?

Port usage fee is one of the main expense items of transportation cost. Some shipping companies spend more than 1/4 of the total cost on port charges, second only to fuel and ship repair. Therefore, saving port charges is an issue that ocean shipping companies must pay attention to in order to reduce transportation costs. Generally speaking, the ways for shipping companies to save port charges can be shown in the following aspects.

1. Shipping companies must understand and master the rules of various charges in each port, and its rate adjustment.  

2. The shipping company should pay much attention to the reasonable arrangement of the ship's operations in the port and make the corresponding records.  

3. Correctly grasp the time of ship entering and leaving the port. You should try your best to enter and leave the port during daytime, because the cost of pilotage, tug, bollard and so on in the port of each country will be increased by surcharge at night and on holidays.  

4. Before the ship enters or leaves the port, level the ship's bow and stern draught as much as possible to reduce the maximum draught of the ship under possible conditions. Because in some ports, the maximum draught of the ship is based on the gross tonnage of the ship and the first and last draught.  

5. Declare the ship's tonnage correctly. Ship tonnage tax, ship port service charge, lighthouse charge, etc. are all calculated based on the tonnage of the ship.

6. Stow cargo reasonably. Strive for simultaneous operation of each cargo compartment and balance the loading and unloading time of each compartment as much as possible to shorten the ship's time in port.  

7. Make all preparations in time to reduce all kinds of waiting time charges.  

8. The ship side should carefully examine and sign all charge documents to prevent undue losses.

Written by karla