The Parliamentary Opposition Office has condemned the failure of Solomon Islands Ports Authority to consult local ship owners before imposing increases to charges on the usage of domestic ports services.
The group today says its office is able to obtain information that charges relating to berthing has increased from 40 cents to $1.00 per meter per hour, newly introduced SIPA registration fees will see boats within the ranges of 25 meters – 50 meters (plus) will pay fees ranging correspondingly to their respective length from 15 to 30,000.
The Office is further aware that another new fee is imposed whereby 40 meters and above vessels will have to be piloted to the ports. The pilot fee is $1,000 per usage.