Gulf seaports terminal conference proposes security fee to FMC

Gulf seaports terminal conference proposes security fee to FMC    The Gulf Seaports Marine Terminal Conference (GSMTC) said it will file notice with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to impose a security fee for vessels and cargo using U.S. Gulf ports.
   The conference said in a statement it had to act because funding for port security grants 'has fallen short of U.S. port needs.'
   'Until now, U.S. Gulf ports have shouldered most of the cost associated with new Homeland Security mandates, which have adversely impacted cash flows, leaving the ports with few options to recover security-related expenses,' the conference noted.
   The conference 'believes that the fee structure it has developed is one that will meet the needs of its members, while imposing a minimal burden on their customers,' the statement said.
   The proposed levy will be 'a minimum fee assessed as a surcharge in addition to tariff charges,' the conference explained. The new fee structure would become effective on Jan. 1.