The Suez Canal Authority (SCA), along with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), is currently in talks with major global carriers over introducing a new toll scheme where charges are levied three or five years in advance in return for a discount.
“We are talking with the big carriers about a scheme to deposit a certain balance and every time their ships transit, a deduction will be made.”The Wall Street Journal quoted Mohab Mamish, Chairman as saying.
According to Mamish, an agreement could be reached next week before going into effect at the start of 2016. The Canal plans to offer in return a discount of around 3% in transit rates. The canal’s tolls for 2017 will be announced in January with a cut “under consideration”.
Representatives of the major container shipping companies are meeting this week at a conference in Copenhagen.
Maersk Line , CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO and Evergreen are among the ship operator who are negotiating for levy charges three or five years in advance.
