Inchon port pushes for wharfage increases for polluting cargoes

Polluting cargoes, which create noise and dust during stevedoring will have to pay hiked wharfage fees.

Inchon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that it would propose the hikes to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) on May 21, a wharfage increase of between 7 and 36 percent for those cargoes imported through the Port of Inchon. Affected cargoes will include feed materials, scrap steel, bituminous (soft) coal and anthracite (hard) coal.

This local agency said, "It is inevitable that we raise wharfage for hazardous cargoes in Inchon. So far, based on the revised Port Law last April, Inchon has had to secure money for anti-pollution facilities such as dustproof walls and soundproofing walls."

According to this proposal, wharfage for feed materials, scrap steel and bituminous (soft) coal will be increased to 417 won, 346 won, and 328 won from 306 won, respectively.

An official at the Inchon regional agency said, "Stevedoring companies used to take out the expenses from wharfage. However, as the law was revised, placing the responsibility on the local administration office to establish anti-pollution facilities, we have to increase the wharfage."