Decision

The pilotage charges introduced on 1 April
2025 are deleted and changed to new pilotage rates to be adopted
immediately and that any invoicing from the 1 April 2025 is
undertaken on the new rate.
 

Vessels piloted to or from Ferry Terminal
& Royal Harbour
For tug and tow length is calculated as total
length of both vessels and tow line

Length Less than 80m

 
 £262

Length 80m- 119m

 
 £393

Length 120m- 179m

 
£590

Length 180m +

 
£885

 
The introduction of a small fishing vessel
charge:
 

COMMERCIAL VESSELS -
Visiting Commercial Fishing Boats

 

Visiting fishing vessels - per 24 hours or
part thereof, per gross tonne including Port Control and Navigation
Aids

 
 
£0.45

 
The following wording to be updated to include
fishing vessels:
 

TUG BOATS and WORKBOATS -
Non-Resident - including
fishing vessels

 

Visiting tugs, workboats, RIBs and light
commercial, inc. visiting
fishing vessels per metre per 24 hours min. (Under 10
GRT) 

 
 
 
  £8.91

Visiting tugs, workboats, inc. visiting fishing vessels per 24 hours per gross
tonnage (over 10 tonnes and up to 50 gross tonnage)

 
 
 
  £5.00

Visiting tugs, workboats, inc. visiting fishing vessels per 24 hours per gross
tonnage (over 50  tonnes and up to 100
gross tonnage)

 
 
 
£2.30

 
The following wording to be updated to make it
easier to identify commercial vessels:
 

Other Commercial Vessels (100 gross tonnes) - per arrival per gross tonne
for a maximum 24 hours before charge is applied again

 
 
 
£1.32

 
The following charge is added to the harbour
fees and charges list as it is currently on the port code only:
 

Visiting tugs & workboats - on layover -
per 24 hours or part thereof per gross tonne

 
 
£0.97

 

Reasons for the decision

In preparation for the 2025/26 financial year,
a comprehensive review of the fees and charges at the Port and
Harbour was undertaken to improve efficiency and accuracy., with
support from an external consultant. This review resulted in
significant changes across the fee structure based on the
consultant’s advice.
 
However, during this process, an error was
introduced in the pilotage charges, leading to an unintentional
increase in the rate above the intended level to a level that is
too high, making it unaffordable for vessels to enter. This will
impact the port and harbour reputationally and financially.
 
One of the main recommendations was converting
commercial vessel charges from being charged per metre on the
length of a vessel, to per tonne on the gross registered tonnage
(GRT) of a vessel. This change meant over hauling and recalculating
a number of the fees and charges at the Port and Harbour. However,
in error the rate for piloting a vessel in and out of the port was
also converted to a price per tonne when it was actually
recommended by the consultants that this remain a price per metre.
The error in pilotage rate charging sees this charge increase by
over 350%.

Alternative options considered

The council could decide not to amend the fees
and charges. This drastic increase in pilotage rate would see the
port becoming unviable for a lot of commercial vessels which would
see a reduced income not only for the pilotage income but also
other associated incomes such as conservancy, berthing, etc. as the
vessels go to alternative ports.