UK shipping minister announces further cut in light dues

The UK government is reducing light dues rate by a penny from 40p per net registered tonne to 39p on April 1, 2015.

The rate was reduced by a penny on April 1, 2014.

The government announced its intention to take determined action in support of the UK shipping industry in 2010 by addressing the increasing cost of the marine aids to navigation service and providing long-term stability for light dues payers so they could plan budgets effectively.

This further reduction means that there has been a 19% real terms reduction in light dues since 2010.

The news will be welcomed by UK ports attracting larger cruise ships as light dues, or their equivalent, are not charged to visiting ships in other North European ports.