Extending payment deadline for port dues
In order to ease the burden on companies in the port in the days of the pandemic, Antwerp Port Authority has agreed to let them delay payment of port dues for seagoing ships and barges. After consulting Alfaport, the Port Authority has agreed to extend the payment deadline for port dues to 48 days instead of 30 days for barges and 18 days for seagoing ships.
This deferment applies to all ships calling the port of Antwerp from 1 May to 30 June, and may subsequently be extended if necessary. For maritime shipping, the delay applies to tonnage dues & berthing dues.
A similar deferment is being prepared for concessions and will be submitted to the Port of Authority board of directors for discussion at the end of May. King Philippe of Belgium has just paid the port a visit to underline his support for the port and its staff. (mw)