Dear Member,
We recently received the attached NOTICE from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority advising stakeholders of proposed fee amendments that are scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2022. Key elements of the amendments include the following:
- 0.7% CPI increase in berthage and wharfage rates.
- 0.7% CPI increase in harbour dues, along with some revisions to the qualification criteria for harbour dues discounts.
- Annual adjustments to the current GIF (gateway infrastructure fee) rates. As per this TABLE (which compares the 2021 GIF rates to those proposed for 2022), the most notable change is the $0.88 increase in the rate for containerized cargo in the North Shore Trade Area. We are seeking additional information from the port on the rationale for an increase of this magnitude.
- Introduction of a second (additional) gateway infrastructure fee, known as GIF 2022. Please see this TABLE for the specific rates associated with the new GIF, and please refer to CLs 11188 and 11244 for additional background information on this issue.
We are in the process of developing comments on the proposed fee increases, which will focus mainly on the gateway infrastructure fee, and the port’s ongoing insistence that the fee must be assessed against the vessel owner in the case of containerized cargo. Given that this is a matter of longstanding concern, we have established an ad hoc committee to consider potential avenue for challenging the port on this issue.
We will provide members with a copy of our comments to the port before the final submission date of December 16. Members who wish to provide feedback on the proposed amendments before then are welcome to do, and should send their comments to the undersigned.
Sincerely,
Karen Kancens
Vice President