Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
It's unlikely the ferry companies could afford to pay further charges for using the Port, and I doubt their tariffs will be increased much in the future either. They pay a lot of money on petrol, which has gone up in price considerably over the past decade, from $35 to over $100 a barrel. Add to that the ever-increasing Treasury tax on petrol.
DHB know this too, and so made the right decision.
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Alexander, the concerns of the ferry operators are very real and based on experience and current attitude of DHB towards the idea of consultation (DHB only 'consult' when they've made up their mind, then the consultation consists of telling the consultee what is going to happen to them). Ferries, don't use petrol. They don't buy it by the barrel either, but by the tonne. 10 years ago the price of a tonne of IFO 380CST was about US$60, today it is US$720.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
no petrol,must be roman gallys rowed by slaves.
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Brian, really
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
brian makes a valid point neil, the seasports centre keep a couple on standby as a way of reminding their members to keep their account up to date.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
What a lot of rowlocks.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
That goes to prove the point, Neil, in 10 years the cost of ship-fuel has gone up more than 10 times, going by the sums you presented, regardless of whether it's calculated in tonnes or barrels.
So all in all, DHB did well in freezing Port charges, and I daresay any future increase, if at all, would have to be minimal, or again be frozen, as the ferry companies simply can't afford to pay more.
I'm not too sure if a would-be private owner would understand this.
When we consider that DHB have plenty of Port maintenance to carry out, it's clear to see that no private owner would make a profit on the Port without risking bankrupting the ferry-companies through extra charges.
Hope the Government have realised this.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I'm sure that even Dr Goldfield is not daft enough to raise rates when the tunnel has just overtaken Dover in total market share for the first time ever. It's a bit like taxation; the more you raise the rates, the less you actually earn.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Alexander and Peter, I admire your confidence in Dr Bob's good sense. I have got to know his modus operandi too well to share your optimism.
