The Head of Coastal and Public Realm has decided to approve new pilotage rates immediately due to an unintentional increase that is unaffordable for vessels to enter, impacting the port and harbour financially.

URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5386

Decision Maker: Head of Coastal and Public Realm

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The pilotage charges introduced on 1 April 2025 are deleted and changed to new pilotage rates to be adopted immediately and that any invoicing from the 1 April 2025 is undertaken on the new rate.   Vessels piloted to or from Ferry Terminal & Royal Harbour For tug and tow length is calculated as total length of both vessels and tow line Length Less than 80m    £262 Length 80m- 119m    £393 Length 120m- 179m   £590 Length 180m +   £885   The introduction of a small fishing vessel charge:   COMMERCIAL VESSELS - Visiting Commercial Fishing Boats   Visiting fishing vessels - per 24 hours or part thereof, per gross tonne including Port Control and Navigation Aids     £0.45   The following wording to be updated to include fishing vessels:   TUG BOATS and WORKBOATS - Non-Resident - including fishing vessels   Visiting tugs, workboats, RIBs and light commercial, inc. visiting fishing vessels per metre per 24 hours min. (Under 10 GRT)          £8.91 Visiting tugs, workboats, inc. visiting fishing vessels per 24 hours per gross tonnage (over 10 tonnes and up to 50 gross tonnage)         £5.00 Visiting tugs, workboats, inc. visiting fishing vessels per 24 hours per gross tonnage (over 50  tonnes and up to 100 gross tonnage)       £2.30   The following wording to be updated to make it easier to identify commercial vessels:   Other Commercial Vessels (100 gross tonnes) - per arrival per gross tonne for a maximum 24 hours before charge is applied again       £1.32   The following charge is added to the harbour fees and charges list as it is currently on the port code only:   Visiting tugs & workboats - on layover - per 24 hours or part thereof per gross tonne     £0.97   In preparation for the 2025/26 financial year, a comprehensive review of the fees and charges at the Port and Harbour was undertaken to improve efficiency and accuracy., with support from an external consultant. This review resulted in significant changes across the fee structure based on the consultant’s advice.   However, during this process, an error was introduced in the pilotage charges, leading to an unintentional increase in the rate above the intended level to a level that is too high, making it unaffordable for vessels to enter. This will impact the port and harbour reputationally and financially.   One of the main recommendations was converting commercial vessel charges from being charged per metre on the length of a vessel, to per tonne on the gross registered tonnage (GRT) of a vessel. This change meant over hauling and recalculating a number of the fees and charges at the Port and Harbour. However, in error the rate for piloting a vessel in and out of the port was also converted to a price per tonne when it was actually recommended by the consultants that this remain a price per metre. The error in pilotage rate charging sees this charge increase by over 350%. The council could decide not to amend the fees and charges. This drastic increase in pilotage rate would see the port becoming unviable for a lot of commercial vessels which would see a reduced income not only for the pilotage income but also other associated incomes such as conservancy, berthing, etc. as the vessels go to alternative ports.

Date of Decision: July 3, 2025