Png Govt To Check Rate Rises

Shipping companies operating from Papua New Guinea to Australia may encounter government intervention over the raising of freight rates in future. The PNG Price Controller, Mr Morauta, immediately after an interim rise of 8.5 per cent in rates from April 22, said future increases would have to be approved by the govemment. The increase, and bunker surcharges, will not apply to tea ext The new rates followed negotiations between the shipping companics and the PNG Shippers’

Council. The companies asked the council for further meetings at the end of May to review the tariff because of a substantial rise in pay for Australian watersiders.

Mr Morauta said the shipping companics would be required to give the government sufficient information to assess the justice of their claims. The

government will have to be con vinced increases were justified,

Shipping companies operating from

Australia to PNG increased freight rates by 8.5 per cent on April 16, and warned a further increase was likely when the waterside workers’ claim was settled, Islands importers can resign them selves to another rise in freight rates for cargo from Australia.

Shipping companies serving Islands

po . rts h ? ve star f ed , negotiations with fV^ ' , expected to be at least 6 per cent r f top JT r cerd apphed from April 15 The new rates when agreed, should come into ope , ra ‘ ion . some *' me . A £ unker of 4 A pe / ce " has been added to coastal freight rates in Papua New Guinea. There was an earlier rise of 2 per cent in January. The increase is about 75c on a ton of rice or about 2c a sack.