Port Charges Refund Scheme

Port Charges Refund Scheme

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Dr Ian Borg and Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Hon Silvio Schembri launched a refund scheme for port charges aimed at ship calls carrying domestic cargo between December 2019 and May 2020.

The scheme is intended to ease some of the burden that the maritime industry faced whilst continuing to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ship Operators, Shipping Agents, importers and exporters are eligible to benefit from the scheme.

The Government allocated € 2.08 million for the scheme, whilst funds will be administered by Transport Malta. The scheme is divided into two categories. Scheme A is related to port charges including Port Dues, Pilotage Dues and Mooring Services Dues whereas Scheme B is applicable to unitised cargo, domestic imports and local exports (trailers and containers).

Shipping agents will benefit from a refund of 35% on Port Dues, Pilotage Dues and mooring services. It is estimated that a total of 1357 ship calls will be eligible for refunds under Scheme A whereas a total of
24,719 containers and 14,755 trailers, will benefit from Scheme B and will be compensated to importers and exporters at € 20 per container (20’ or 40’) and € 40 per trailer.

Importers and exporters (scheme B) are requested to fill in an application form and submit to Transport Malta, together with relevant documentation, as prescribed in the attached presentation. With regards to Scheme A, no applications are needed.

Click here for the Port Charges Refund Scheme presentation.