Light dues to rise

With falling interest rates and a reduction on ship calls into the UK, the DfT estimated a £21M shortfall against the General Lighthouse Authorities projected expenditure of £89m in 2009/10. To recoup this shortfall light dues levied on a per voyage basis were increased on 1 July 2009, as follows

1. light dues from 35p to 39p per ton with a further rise to 43p per ton from 1 April 2010,
2. the voyage cap on light dues to rise from from 7 to 9 per year,
3. the maximum charge per voyage will be £13,650 until 31 March 2010, rising to £17,200 from 1 April 2010.

There is no change to the threshold or rate for pleasure vessels.

The Minister, Paul Clark, also announced a change in the funding of Irish Lights. The UK's contribution will drop from 30% to 15%.