Circular No. 54/2018/TT-BGTVT Issuing the framework pricing table for pilotage services, services using bridges, berths, mooring buoys, container handling services, and tugboat services at Vietnamese seaports

Joint Resolutions, Circulars

Issuing the framework price list for pilot services, bridge and berth usage services, mooring buoy services, container handling services, and towing services at Vietnamese seaports

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Pursuant to the Vietnam Maritime Code on November 25, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Prices dated June 20, 2012;

Pursuant to Decree No. 146/2016/NĐ-CP dated November 2, 2016 of the Government on the issuance and public display of prices, surcharges outside the basic prices for maritime cargo transportation services, and port service prices;June 2024;, surcharges outside the basic prices for maritime cargo transportation services, and port service prices;June 2024; cargo transportation services by sea, port service prices;developmentair container transportation, port service prices;shallnautical pilot services, bridge and berth usage services, mooring buoy services, container handling services, and towing services at Vietnamese seaports;

Pursuant to Decree No. 149/2016/NĐ-CP dated November 11, 2016 of the Government supplementing some articles of Decree No. 177/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2013 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prices;đổamending and supplementing certain articles of the Civil Servants Law and the Civil Servants Law dated November 25, 2019;, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPe, supplementing some articles of Decree No. 177/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2013 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prices;

Pursuant to Decree No. 12/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 10, 2017, issued by the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Transport Department and the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular on issuing the framework price list for pilot services, bridge and berth usage services, mooring buoy services, container handling services, and towing services at Vietnamese seaports;developmentchart for the framework price of pilot services, bridge and berth usage services, mooring buoy services, container handling services, and towing services at Vietnamese seaports;policiesberth, mooring buoy services, container handling services, and towing services at Vietnamese seaports;ắing services at Vietnamese seaports.

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the framework price list for services at Vietnamese seaports, including: nautical pilot service prices; bridge and berth usage, mooring buoy service prices; container handling service prices; towing service prices (hereinafter referred to as port service prices).

Article 2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals in Vietnam and foreign organizations and individuals related to the provision and use of services at Vietnamese seaports.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

Clause 1. Vessels are waterborne or underwater means of transport including ships, boats, and other motorized or non-motorized vessels.

Clause 2. Special-purpose vessels for oil and gas operations are vessels serving exploration, extraction of oil and gas, or related oil and gas service activities.

Clause 3. A tugboat is a vessel designed, inspected, and registered to provide towing services, assisting vessels in entering, leaving berths, bridges, and mooring buoys.

Clause 4. Gross Tonnage (GT) is the maximum total volume of a vessel recorded in the certificate issued by the inspection authority according to regulations.

Clause 5. Export goods are goods with the place of origin in Vietnam and the destination abroad.

Clause 6. Import goods are goods with the place of origin abroad and the destination in Vietnam.

Clause 7. Transit goods are goods transported from abroad to Vietnamese seaports, stored in the transit area of the seaport for a certain period, then loaded onto another vessel for transportation out of Vietnam's territory.

Clause 8. Through goods are goods with the place of origin and destination outside Vietnam traveling directly or being transshipped through Vietnamese seaports or warehoused for further transportation.

Clause 9. A pilotage trip is counted as continuous navigation from the pilot boarding position to the pilot disembarking position according to regulations.

Clause 10. A voyage is counted as one entry and one exit from the maritime zone.

Clause 11. Coastal routes to islands include coastal routes from the mainland to islands within Vietnam's territorial waters as published according to legal regulations.

Clause 12. The framework price for port services includes continuous price levels from the minimum to the maximum price for port services.

Article 3. Objects subject to pricing for services

Clause 1. Objects subject to pricing for international maritime activities include:

a) Vessels exiting, entering, or passing through the maritime zone, foreign vessels operating at Vietnamese seaports;

b) Vessels transporting export, import, transit, and through goods in the maritime zone;

c) Passenger vessels traveling from Vietnam to abroad or vice versa, special-purpose vessels operating on international routes entering, leaving, passing through, or mooring in the maritime zone;

d) Export, import, transit, and through goods being loaded/unloaded, received/delivered, stored, and moored in the maritime zone;

đ) Passengers of international passenger vessels arriving in Vietnam (or vice versa) by sea or inland waterways entering or leaving the maritime zone.

Clause 2. Objects subject to pricing for domestic maritime activities include:

a) Vessels engaged in domestic maritime activities entering, leaving, passing through, or mooring in the maritime zone;

b) Cargo and passenger vessels engaged in domestic maritime activities entering, leaving, passing through, or mooring in the maritime zone;

c) Vessels operating on coastal routes from the mainland to islands within Vietnam's territorial waters;

d) Domestic goods being loaded/unloaded, received/delivered, stored, and moored in the maritime zone;

e) Special-purpose vessels for oil and gas operations working at offshore oil ports or specialized ports serving oil and gas within the responsibility area of the maritime port authority.

Clause 3. Official vessels are vessels specifically used for state duties without commercial purposes and are not subject to pricing under this Circular.

Clause 4. Vessels entering or leaving ports to avoid storms or to hand over rescued persons at sea without loading/unloading goods or passengers, confirmed by the maritime port authority; vessels participating in search and rescue, flood prevention, and disaster relief operations upon dispatch orders or approval from competent authorities are not subject to pricing for nautical pilot services and bridge, berth, and mooring buoy services.

Article 4. Principles for Determining Service Prices at Seaports

1. The framework service price list at seaports shall be determined using the general pricing method for goods and services as prescribed by laws on prices and other relevant laws.

2. Based on current legal regulations governing the management of service prices at seaports, the quality of services, and market conditions, businesses providing services at seaports shall decide on specific price levels within the framework price list issued pursuant to this Circular.

3. The price levels specified in the framework price list set forth in this Circular do not include value-added tax.

4. When calculating service prices, businesses providing services at seaports must use invoices as prescribed by law.

Article 5. Currency for Pricing Services

1. The currency for pricing services is either Vietnamese Dong or US Dollar for pilotage services, usage of bridges, wharves, mooring buoys, container handling services, and tugboat services provided to vessels engaged in international transportation.

2. The currency for pricing services is Vietnamese Dong for pilotage services, usage of bridges, wharves, mooring buoys, container handling services, and tugboat services provided to vessels engaged in domestic transportation.

3. In cases where there is a conversion from US Dollars to Vietnamese Dong, it shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 6. Units of Measurement and Rounding Methods

1. Gross Tonnage (GT) is one of the basic units for calculating service prices at seaports.

2. For vessels without Gross Tonnage recorded, the conversion method with the largest Gross Tonnage shall be selected, as follows:

a) Sea vessels and inland waterway self-propelled vessels: 1.5 tons of deadweight tonnage equals 1 GT;

b) Barges: 1 ton of total deadweight tonnage equals 1 GT;

c) Tugboats, push boats, passenger vessels (including hydrofoils), and floating cranes: 1 horsepower (HP, CV) equals 0.5 GT; 1 kilowatt (KW) equals 0.7 GT; 1 ton of lifting capacity of cranes installed on vessels equals 6 GT;

d) Passenger vessels without engine power recorded: 1 seat for passengers equals 0.67 GT; 1 berth equals 4 GT;

đ) In cases where vessels form a towing, pushing, or berthing group: the Gross Tonnage is calculated based on the total Gross Tonnage of the entire group, including barges, towing or pushing heads.

3. Unit of measurement for engine power: the main engine power of vessels is measured in HP, CV, or KW; fractions less than 1 HP, 1 CV, or 1 KW are rounded up to 1 HP, 1 CV, or 1 KW respectively.

4. Time unit:

a) For time units measured in days: 1 day equals 24 hours; fractional parts of a day up to 12 hours are counted as half a day, more than 12 hours are counted as 1 day;

b) For time units measured in hours: 1 hour equals 60 minutes; fractional parts up to 30 minutes are counted as half an hour, more than 30 minutes are counted as 1 hour.

5. Unit of measurement for cargo volume (including packaging) is ton or cubic meter (m³); fractions less than 0.5 tons or 0.5 m³ are not counted, from 0.5 tons or 0.5 m³ upwards are counted as 1 ton or 1 m³. In a single bill of lading, the minimum volume for pricing is 1 ton or 1 m³. For goods that occupy 2 m³ per ton, every 2 m³ is counted as 1 ton.³); for fractions less than 0.5 tons or 0.5 meters³ not to be counted, from 0.5 tons or 0.5 meters³ and above to be calculated as 01 ton or 01 meter³. In a single bill of lading, the minimum quantity for pricing is 01 ton or 01 meter³. For goods that occupy at least 02 meters per ton³ then every 02 meters³ shall be calculated as 01 ton.

6. The unit of distance for pricing marine pilotage services is nautical mile (NM); fractions less than 1 NM are counted as 1 NM.

7. The unit of measurement for pricing bridge, wharf, and mooring buoy usage services for vessels is meters (m) of bridge, wharf, or mooring buoy; fractions less than 1 m are counted as 1 m.

Article 7. Division of Seaport Areas

The seaport areas of Vietnam for container handling services and tugboat services are divided into three areas as follows:

1. Area I: seaports located at latitudes of 20 degrees and above in the north, including seaports in the provinces and cities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh.

2. Area II: seaports located between latitudes of 11.5 degrees and below 20 degrees, including seaports in the provinces and cities of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.

3. Area III: seaports located at latitudes below 11.5 degrees in the south, including seaports in the provinces and cities of Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Can Tho, An Giang, Vinh Long, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh.

 

Chapter II

CHART OF PRICES FOR PORT SERVICES, USE OF BRIDGES, DOCKS, BUOYS, CONTAINER HANDLING SERVICES, AND TUGBOAT SERVICES AT SEAPORTS

 

Section 1. CHART OF PRICES FOR PORT SERVICES

Article 8. Price Range for Port Services for Domestic Shipping Vessels

1. The price range for port services for certain vessel routes and types of vessels is specified as follows:

2. Specific provisions:

a) When requesting port pilotage services, the person requesting the pilot must notify the pilot organization at least six hours before the time of request. In case of changing the time of request for pilotage or canceling the request for pilotage, the person requesting the pilot must notify the pilot organization at least three hours before the time of the previously requested pilotage;

b) In case of changing the time of request for pilotage or canceling the request for pilotage when notifying the pilot organization less than three hours before the previously requested time, the person requesting the pilot must pay waiting fees at a rate of 20,000 VND/person/hour. For cases including means of transportation, the rate is 200,000 VND/person and means of transportation/hour. If the pilot has not departed, one hour will be counted; if the pilot has left the departure position, the waiting time will be calculated from the departure time until the pilot returns to the original position, with a minimum of one hour; if the pilot waits at the pick-up location for more than four hours after the time of the requested service, the request for pilotage is considered canceled, and the person requesting the pilot must pay 80% of the pilotage service fee based on the previously requested distance and within the price range stipulated in this Article;

c) In case the pilot has boarded the vessel and the person requesting the pilotage cancels the request, the person requesting the pilotage must pay 80% of the pilotage service fee based on the previously requested distance and within the price range stipulated in this Article;

d) After the pilot has completed the vessel guidance, if the ship captain requests the pilot to remain on board, waiting fees will be charged based on the actual time spent remaining;

đ) For vessels on trial runs to test machinery, equipment, and compass calibration, the price range is 110% of the price range stipulated in this Article;

e) Ship owners (excluding passenger ships) entering or leaving a maritime area at least four times per vessel per month, starting from the fourth trip of that vessel in the month, the price range is 80% of the price range stipulated in this Article;

g) Ship owners operating passenger ships entering or leaving a maritime area at least four times per month in one maritime area, starting from the fourth trip, the price range is 50% of the price range stipulated in this Article for those passenger ships of organizations and individuals in that month but not lower than the minimum price for one pilotage service according to the price range stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

h) Ships that do not directly arrive at the destination port but require anchoring en route (except for routes that cannot run at night), the ship owner must pay additional costs for the means of transportation for picking up and dropping off the pilot. The service price for the means of transportation for picking up and dropping off the pilot shall not exceed 300,000 VND per vessel per service;

i) If the ship arrives at the waiting position for the pilot at the agreed time and is approved by the maritime port authority in the area and the pilot organization, but the pilot does not arrive causing the ship to wait, the pilot organization must pay waiting fees to the ship owner at a rate of 250,000 VND per hour, based on the actual waiting time.

k) In case the pilot has arrived at the pick-up location but the vessel cannot be operated due to force majeure, with confirmation from the maritime port authority in the area, the pilot organization shall charge the pilot service fee at the minimum rate for one vessel/trip as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 9. Price Range for Pilotage Services for International Shipping Vessels

1. The price range for port services for certain vessel routes and types of vessels is specified as follows:

 

2. For cases using pilotage services outside those specified in Clause 1 of this Article and using pilotage services on the Vung Ro route (Phu Yen Province), sand transfer areas in Binh Dinh, Phu Yen Provinces; Duyen Hai (Tra Vinh Province), Ba Ngoi (Khánh Hòa Province), the pilotage service fees shall be calculated as follows:

 

3. Specific provisions:

a) When requesting pilotage services, the person requesting the pilot must notify the pilot organization at least six hours before the requested time; for offshore oil ports, notification must be made at least twenty-four hours before the requested time. If there is a change in the requested time or cancellation of the request, the person requesting the pilot must inform the pilot organization at least three hours before the previously scheduled time; for offshore oil ports, it is eight hours;

b) In case of changing the requested time or canceling the request without notifying the pilot organization at least three hours before the previously scheduled time, for offshore oil ports, it is eight hours, the person requesting the pilot must pay waiting charges at a rate of 10 USD/person/hour. If it includes a means of transportation, the rate is 20 USD/person and means of transportation/hour. If the pilot has not yet departed, one hour will be counted; if the pilot has left the departure position, the waiting time will be counted from the departure time until the pilot returns to the original position, which is a minimum of one hour; the pilot waits at the pick-up location after the requested service time does not exceed four hours, beyond this time, the request for service is considered canceled, and the person requesting the pilot must pay eighty percent of the pilotage service fee based on the previously requested distance and the rates stipulated in this Article;

c) If the pilot has completed the vessel guidance and the captain retains the pilot, additional waiting charges will be applied based on the actual retention time;

d) For vessels on a voyage to test machinery and equipment or calibrate the compass, the price range is 110% of the price range stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, based on the actual distance guided;

đ) For vessels that cannot operate due to technical failure, the price range is 150% of the price range stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, based on the actual distance guided;

e) For vessels requesting emergency pilotage (outside the provisions of points a, b, c, d, and đ of this clause), the price range is 110% of the price range stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, based on the actual distance guided;

g) If the pilot has boarded the vessel but the vessel cannot be operated due to force majeure, confirmed by the local maritime port authority, the pilotage service fee is 300 USD/vessel/trip;

h) If the vessel does not directly arrive at the destination port but requests anchorage along the way (except for routes not allowed to sail at night), the person requesting the pilot must pay additional costs for the means of transportation used in picking up and dropping off the pilot. The cost of the means of transportation for picking up and dropping off the pilot shall not exceed 30 USD/vessel/trip;

i) If the vessel arrives at the waiting location for the pilot according to the agreed time, approved by the local maritime port authority and the pilot organization, but the pilot does not arrive, causing the vessel to wait, the pilot organization must compensate the shipowner for waiting time, at a rate of 100 USD/hour, based on the actual waiting time;

k) For vessels (excluding passenger vessels) making more than three trips/month/sea area, from the fourth trip onwards in the month, the price range is 80% of the price range for pilotage services stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, but not less than 300 USD;

l) Shipowners with passenger vessels making a minimum of four trips/month/sea area, the price range is 50% of the price range for pilotage services stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, but not less than 300 USD/

m) For passenger ships with a gross tonnage of 50,000 GT or more entering or leaving a maritime area, the applicable fee range shall be 40% of the pilotage service fee range specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article but not less than 300 USD.

n) In cases where vessels must move between wharfs within the port area at the request of the port enterprise director, the fee range for in-port pilotage services for domestic maritime operations as stipulated in Article 9 of this Circular shall apply.

o) For oil transfer operations at Van Phong Bay - Khanh Hoa, the applicable fee range for pilotage services shall be 50% of the pilotage service fee range specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article; this provision shall apply until December 31, 2020.

p) For vessels entering or leaving a maritime area to refuel, obtain food, fresh water, change crew, repair, dismantle, or test run after repair or construction without loading or unloading cargo or passengers, the applicable fee range shall be 70% of the pilotage service fee range specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Article 10. Basis for Determining Pilotage Service Fees

1. Pilotage service fees are calculated on a per-voyage basis, being the product of the corresponding service fee specified in Articles 8 and 9 of this Circular and the distance piloted, multiplied by the total tonnage of the vessel; for Points 5 and 6 of Clause 1 of Article 8 and Points 4 and 5 of Clause 1 of Article 9, the calculation is based on the product of the corresponding service fee and the total tonnage of the vessel.

2. Where the pilotage service fee calculated according to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article is lower than the minimum fee for one voyage, the minimum fee for one voyage as stipulated in Articles 8 and 9 of this Circular shall apply.

3. Gross Tonnage (GT) is one of the basic units for calculating pilotage service fees, including:

a) For liquid cargo vessels: the total tonnage is calculated as 85% of the largest GT recorded in the certificate issued by the inspection authority for the vessel, regardless of whether the vessel has ballast tanks or not.

b) For passenger vessels: the total tonnage is calculated as 50% of the largest GT recorded in the certificate issued by the inspection authority for the vessel.

Section 2. FEES RANGE FOR USE OF PIER, WHARF, BUOY

Article 11. Fee Range for Using Pier, Wharf, Buoy in Maritime Areas for Domestic Transport Vessels, Cargo, Passengers

 

 

Article 12. Pricing framework for the use of bridges, wharfs, and mooring buoys in maritime areas for vessels, goods, and passengers engaged in international transportation

 

 

Article 13. Basis for pricing bridge, wharf, and mooring buoy services

1. For vessels moored or anchored at multiple positions within a maritime area of a seaport, the price for bridge, wharf, and mooring buoy services shall be calculated based on the actual time spent at each position.

2. In cases where vessels cannot load/unload due to weather conditions for more than one day (24 consecutive hours) or must yield the wharf to other vessels according to the command of the Harbor Master, the price for bridge, wharf, and mooring buoy services will not be charged during the non-loading/unloading period.

3. In cases where vessels other than special-purpose vessels serving oil and gas enter oil and gas service ports for loading/unloading, they shall apply points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Section I, Section II of Article 11 and points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Section I, and all of Section II of Article 12 of this Circular.

4. Gross tonnage (GT) is one of the basic units for calculating the price of bridge, wharf, and mooring buoy services, including:

a) For liquid cargo vessels: the total tonnage is calculated as 85% of the largest GT recorded in the certificate issued by the inspection authority for the vessel, regardless of whether the vessel has ballast tanks or not.

b) For passenger vessels: total volume calculated as 100% of the largest GT recorded in the certificate issued by the inspection authority for the vessel.

5. The pricing framework for passenger services passing through bridges, wharfs, and mooring buoys stipulated in this Article does not apply to children under 12 years old.

Section 3. FRAMEWORK PRICING FOR CONTAINER HANDLING SERVICES

Article 14. Pricing framework for container handling services in Zone I

1. Pricing framework for domestic container handling services

Unit of measurement: VND/container

 

2. Pricing framework for import/export, temporary import/re-export container handling services (not applicable to the international port area of La Chanh)

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

3. Pricing framework for transit and transshipment container handling services (not applicable to the international port area of La Chanh)

Unit of measurement: USD/containerinternationalner

     

4. Pricing framework for import/export, temporary import/re-export container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh

a) Pricing framework for import/export, temporary import/re-export container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh, effective from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019

Unit of measurement: The decision to switch the issuance of coats, overcoats, windbreakers, and down jackets to other uniforms for civil servants working at the National Market Management and Development Agency is decided by the Minister of Industry and Trade.VND/container

 

b) Pricing framework for import/export, temporary import/re-export container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh, effective from January 1, 2020

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

5. Pricing framework for transit and transshipment container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh

a) Pricing framework for transit and transshipment container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh, effective from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

b) Pricing framework for transit and transshipment container handling services applicable to the international port area of La Chanh, effective from January 1, 2020

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

6. Pricing framework for container handling services between vessels (barges) and port yards applicable to container handling services for inter-port cargo transportation and transfer to destination ports

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

Article 15. Framework for container handling service fees in Zone II

1. Pricing framework for domestic container handling services

Unit of measurement: VNDồVND/container

2. Framework for container handling service fees for imported, exported, and temporarily imported/re-exported containers

Unit of measurement: USD/container

3. Framework for container handling service fees for transiting and transferring containers

Unit of measurement: USD/container

Article 16. Framework for container handling service fees in Zone III

1. Framework for domestic container handling service fees

Unit of measurement: VNDồVND/containerinternationalner

2. Framework for container handling service fees for imported, exported, and temporarily imported/re-exported containers (not applicable to Cái Mép-Thị Vải port area and Mekong Delta port area)

Unit of measurement: USD/containerinternationalner

3. Framework for container handling service fees for transiting and transferring containers (not applicable to Cái Mép-Thị Vải port area and Mekong Delta port area)

Unit of measurement: USD/container

4. Framework for container handling service fees for imported, exported, and temporarily imported/re-exported containers applicable to Cái Mép-Thị Vải port area

Unit of measurement: USD/container

5. Framework for container handling service fees for transiting and transferring containers applicable to Cái Mép-Thị Vải port area

Unit of measurement: USD/container

6. Framework for container handling service fees for imported, exported, and temporarily imported/re-exported containers applicable to Mekong Delta port area

Unit of measurement: USD/container

7. Framework for container handling service fees for transiting and transferring containers applicable to Mekong Delta port area

Unit of measurement: USD/containerinternationalner

8. Framework for container handling service fees from ship (barges) to port yard and vice versa applicable to container handling services for inter-port transportation for export and port transfer.

Unit of measurement: USD/container

 

Article 17. Basis for calculating container handling service fees

1. The container handling service fees prescribed in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of this Circular apply to standard cargo containers.

2. For oversized, overweight, dangerous goods, and special handling requirements containers, the framework fee shall not exceed 150% of the fees prescribed in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of this Circular. In cases where the port enterprise must provide additional specialized equipment to support cargo handling, the service fee for such equipment will be agreed upon by both parties.

Section 4. FRAMEWORK RATES FOR TUGGING AND MANEUVERING SERVICES

Article 18. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services in Zone I

1. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for inland transport vessels

Unit of measurement: VNDồVND/hour

2. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for international transport vessels

Unit of measurement: USD/hour

 

Article 19. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services in Zone II

1. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for inland transport vessels

Unit of measurement: VND/hour

2. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for international transport vessels

Unit of measurement: USD/hour

 

Article 20. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services in Zone III

1. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for inland transport vessels

Unit of measurement: VND/hour

 

2. Framework for tugboat and maneuvering services for international transport vessels

Unit of measurement: USD/hour

 

Article 21. Basis for calculating tugboat and maneuvering service fees

1. Calculation basis for tugboat and maneuvering service fees

a) The tugboat service provider is responsible for providing tugboats with the number and power as stipulated in the port regulations of the maritime zone. The tugboat and maneuvering service fee for one operation equals the product of the corresponding tugboat and maneuvering service fee prescribed in Articles 18, 19, and 20 of this Circular and the actual time spent on tugboat and maneuvering operations:

b) The actual time spent on tugboat and maneuvering operations is calculated from the moment the tugboat starts assisting the vessel being towed until the end of the assistance according to the captain's request of the vessel being towed and the pilot's guidance. If the actual time spent on tugboat and maneuvering operations is less than one hour, it will be rounded up to one hour. The actual time spent on tugboat and maneuvering operations must be confirmed by the captain of the vessel being towed or the pilot guiding the vessel;

c) In cases where the number and power of the tugboats provided exceed the levels specified in the port regulations of the maritime zone, the tugboat service provider calculates the service fee based on the number and power of the tugboats stipulated in the port regulations of the maritime zone and the framework rate;

d) In cases where the number and power of the tugboats provided exceed the levels specified in the port regulations of the maritime zone, at the request of the port authority, pilot, captain, or shipping company, the tugboat service provider calculates the service fee based on the actual number and power of the tugboats and the framework rate;

e) In cases where the tugboat and maneuvering service cannot meet the needs of vessels entering the port area, the party hiring the tugboat and maneuvering service has the right to enter into a contract to hire tugboats from other areas;

f) In cases where the tugboat and maneuvering service cannot meet the needs of vessels entering the port area, the tugboat service provider must dispatch tugboats from other areas to the tugboat and maneuvering location, the price is negotiated between both parties but does not exceed 70% of the framework rate for tugboat and maneuvering services prescribed in this Circular and based on the actual hours of dispatch;

g) In cases where the tugboat service provider cannot meet the required power as stipulated in the port regulations and must use two or more tugboats, the tugboat and maneuvering service fee is calculated based on the framework rate corresponding to the power of the tugboats as stipulated in the port regulations.

2. For specialized azimuth tugboats, the maximum framework rate is 150% of the framework rate for tugboat and maneuvering services prescribed in Articles 18, 19, and 20 of this Circular.

3. In cases where the tugboat arrives at the position to pick up the vessel to be towed at the requested time by the owner of the vessel to be towed and approved by the maritime port authority, but the vessel to be towed has not arrived causing the tugboat to wait, the party hiring the tugboat and maneuvering service must pay an additional waiting fee equal to 50% of the framework rate prescribed in Articles 18, 19, and 20 of this Circular and based on the actual hours of waiting.

4. In case the tugboat has arrived at the designated position to meet the vessel to be towed on time, but the tugboat service lessee requests and obtains approval from the maritime port authority, yet the vessel to be towed is not ready for mobilization, if the tugboat returns to its starting position or switches to other operations, the tugboat service lessee shall pay fifty percent of the price frame stipulated in Article 18, Article 19, and Article 20 of this Circular based on the actual number of hours mobilized.

 

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

 

Article 22. Effectiveness

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2019.

2. Repeal Decision No. 3863/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 1, 2016 issued by the Minister of Transport promulgating the price frame for container handling services and towing services at Vietnamese seaports, and Decision No. 3946/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 9, 2016 issued by the Minister of Transport promulgating the price frame for pilotage services and the use of wharves, piers, and mooring buoys at Vietnamese seaports.

Article 23. Implementation Organization

1. The Vietnam Maritime Administration is responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

2. In cases where factors forming the price change may result in the service price at seaports being lower than the minimum price or higher than the maximum price specified in the price frame set forth in this Circular, the service provider at seaports shall propose the service price at seaports and report it to the Vietnam Maritime Administration for submission to the Minister of Transport for consideration and decision to amend and supplement this Circular.

3. In cases where new bridges, wharves at ports are constructed specifically for international passenger vessels (not combined with cargo operations), the port operator shall propose the service price and report it to the Vietnam Maritime Administration for submission to the Minister of Transport for consideration and decision to amend and supplement this Circular.

4. The Director of the Department, the Inspector General of the Ministry, the Heads of Departments, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and the Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to this matter are responsible for implementing this Circular./.

 

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