The Ports Regulator has once again restrained Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA’s) tariff-increasing ambitions. Although TNPA requested a tariff increase of 9.47% for the 2015/16 tariff year, the regulator has only approved an overall increase in average tariffs of 4.8%. In addition, while TNPA asked for an indicative tariff of 15.91% and 6.49% for 2016/17 and 2017/18 respectively, the regulator was adamant that these would be adjusted to “within the inflation target band” – 5.9% for 2016/17 and 5.6% for 2017/18.
In addition the regulator’s research raised “significant concerns about specific anomalies regarding tariff imbalances” in the tariff book. As a result, all cargo dues in 2015/16 are to increase by 3.55%, except those for coal, iron ore and manganese which are to increase by 6.00%. Marine services and related tariffs are also to increase by 6.00%.
