Dubai issues new directive on transparency of local sea container charges

The Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), which oversees all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, has issued a new directive on the transparency of local sea container charges. The directive, which took effect this month, requires all service providers to declare their local sea container charges to the DMA via the Dubai Trade Single Window Portal within 30 days.

The DMA developed the directive in response to feedback from its Partnership Programme, a stakeholder engagement initiative designed to help the authority understand the needs of service providers and beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) in the sector.

The directive applies to all service providers, including existing providers licensed by a licensing authority in Dubai, and new providers who become licensed on or after May 1.

“Service providers are prohibited from increasing their existing sea container charges in any way,” DMA said, adding: “A service provider may increase its sea container charges strictly to reflect new or increased authority, port operator or government charges, provided such an increase does not include any charges or amounts for their account. The freeze on service charges will apply until further notice.”

Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, DMA executive director, said: “The new directive is based on a thorough study we conducted as part of efforts to consolidate Dubai’s status as a global maritime hub, enhance the transparency and cost-visibility of local sea container charges and, ultimately, boost the sector’s investment attractiveness.

“The introduction of the directive will allow us to analyse data submitted by service providers and determine whether they reflect commercial best practices and fair competition, which we are tasked with promoting in Dubai’s maritime sector.”