MPs approve temporary port fee exemption
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
MPs yesterday approved an urgent proposal calling for a temporary waiver on fees charged on shipments arriving through Bahrain’s ports, after supporters said local firms were being hit by higher sea freight costs and new charges linked to regional strain.
The proposal was put forward by MP Hassan Ebrahim Hassan, First Deputy Speaker Abdulnabi Salman, Mamdouh Al Saleh, Hisham Al Ashiri and Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh.
They urged the government to grant a time-limited exemption on incoming cargo and goods during the current period to help Bahraini companies and keep supply lines working.
Costs
Supporters said firms were facing extra costs from warrisk charges, route-change fees and added transport bills when consignments were diverted through other ports before reaching Bahrain.
They warned that the rise in freight, transport and storage costs was likely to feed through to prices in the local market.
Ebrahim said shipping firms had recently imposed charges “that were not previously in place”, including war-risk fees and charges tied to changes in shipping routes.
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