West African Countries Apply ‘Traffic Rights’ Levy on Shipowners

Regulations issued by L’Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) relating to ‘Rights of Maritime Traffic’ took effect on 1 January 2020. They include the collection of fees from vessels based on the amount of cargo being imported or exported.

The tax is levied on the shipowner and the Article 4 of the UEMOA regulation warns they cannot seek reimbursement from cargo interests.

The UEMOA regulation further states that goods in transhipment or in transit do not give rise to fees levied by its member coastal states.

The UEMOA regulation 003/2019 can be read here.

Ivory Coast

In January 2020, the Ivory Coast issued notice on their intention to collect fees from vessels engaged on international voyages and are loading or discharging at Ivorian ports.

Fees:

• Importing: 1,000 FCFA (approx. US$1.70) per ton of goods. A reduction in fees to 500 FCFA (US$0.85) is applied for the import of cargoes of wheat, rice and the raw materials used in the manufacture of cement (includes limestone, clinker, slag and gypsum)
• Exporting: 800 FCFA (approx. US$1.36) per ton of goods.

The Ivorian authorities warn shipowners that they should not seek reimbursement of these fees from cargo interests.

Senegal

It has been reported that ANAM – which is the Authority in charge of the Senegalese merchant marine – has started to present invoices in connection with the ‘traffic rights’ levy.

Fees:

• Importing: Rice and wheat are exempt. Cement has been given a reduced right of 800 FCFA per ton. Other products are charged about 1,000 FCFA per ton. Amount is based upon the cargo manifest. Provision is charged by the Agent in the ‘Proforma Disbursement Account’ (PDA) to their principals, who could be the Owners and or Charterers. When cargo operations are completed and declarations made, payment is made to ANAM.
• Exporting: Cement is rated at 400 FCFA per ton, all other products are charged at 800 FCFA. Amount to be taxed is assessed once the cargo is loaded as per draft survey.

Other UEMOA countries:

Benin: it is expected that the levy will be applied soon but is currently suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Togo: has not yet stated their intention.

Mali and Niger: are expected to call for the levy to be introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit

Thanks to our correspondents Ivory P&I for this information.

17 April 2020

Further to the below published rates for international vessels operating to or from Ivorian ports, bulk imports of the raw materials used in the manufacture of cement have been added and is fixed at 500 FCFA (US$0.85) per ton. This includes limestone, clinker, slag and gypsum.

8 January 2020

The Ivory Coast have issued notice on their intention to collect fees from vessels that are engaged on international voyages and are loading or discharging at Ivorian ports.

The country’s Secretary of State of the Minister of Transports has issued a note to shipowners whose vessels call at Ivory Coast. It references the l’Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) regulations relating to Rights of Maritime Traffic, which took effect on 1 January 2020.

Fees

Importing: 1000 FCFA (approx. US$1.70) per ton of goods.

Exporting: 800 FCFA (approx. US$1.36) per ton of goods.

A reduction in fees to 500 FCFA (US$0.85) is applied for the import of cargoes of wheat and rice:

• The authorities warn shipowners that they should not seek reimbursement of these fees from cargo interests.
• Fees will not apply to any bill of lading issued before the date of entry in force of these provisions.
• The UEMOA regulation further states that goods in transhipment or in transit do not give rise to fees levied by its member coastal states.

Thanks to or correspondents Ivory P&I for this information, who have also advised that it is not yet known how fees will be collected and if payment will have to be made before vessel’s arrival and or departure.

Read the translated notice here.

And the original in French here.

The UEMOA regulation 003/2019 can be found here.