EMEA News
Minister: Incentives Support Bunkering at Gibraltar
A system of reduced port fees introduced late last year will encourage increased maritime activity on the eastern side of the peninsula, Neil Costa, minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port, told the Gibraltar Chronicle.
"The Gibraltar Government is fully aware of the importance of the Port of Gibraltar in the overall performance of our economy," he said.
"It is my firm view that this new reduction in port fees will add to the attraction of our port and the wide range of professional services that we already deliver as the leading port in the Mediterranean."
The incentives include lower fees for vessels that take on crews or supplies on the east side and for ships that complete refuelling operations on time.
The port is seeking to make the eastern anchorage a more attractive waiting area for ships buying bunkers or other services at Gibraltar.
Costa said the new system will maximise the benefits of the eastern anchorage while generating more maritime industry activity.
The departure of floating storage tankers from the port opens up new anchorage space in the bay for bunker operations.
Early this year, the government moved bunkering operations from anchor in the Bay of Gibraltar to berth near the Detached Mole breakwater, despite protests from environmentalists that the new arrangement could cause more pollution problems.
