The transport of goods relies on a logistic chain. The overall cost therefore may include, for example, pre and post sea transport services, overland transport (road and/or rail) and payments to the shipping line, the insurers, the forwarding agents, the brokers... and the costs of port transit.
The services provided by the port itself, which often represents less than 5 % of the overall transport costs,, are included in the port transit costs.


DEFINING THE COSTS OF PORT CALLS


They include payments to the Port and to private companies (pilotage, linesmen and often towage)

Dues on the ship
A due is levied on all commercial vessels or cruise ships disembarking, embarking or transhipping passengers or goods.
The amount of the ship’s dues depends on the maximum length, width and draft of the ship.
For each type of ship (cruise liner, containership, tanker, etc…), a specific due is applied to the volume of the ship on entering and leaving the port (euro per cubic meter).

Reductions may be given according to the size of the call, (ratio between the tonnage unloaded or loaded and the volume of the ship), the frequency of calls and the creation of new services in the context of regular lines.


Due on the goods
A due is levied on goods, unloaded, loaded or transhipped. The due on the gross weight (euro per ton) is specific to each type of good or unit (animals, vehicles, containers).

Warf-cleaning fee
Determined by the volume of merchandise handled.

Due on Passengers
The Port of Bordeaux levies for each passenger, embarking, disembarking or in transit, a due.

Due on Cranage
This due is invoiced to the stevedores in the Port of Bordeaux who pass it on to the shippers in their handling costs.


OTHERS (PRIVATE) INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE OF VESSELS

Pilotage
All vessels entering or leaving the Gironde are subject to obligatory pilotage. The pilotage company applies rates based on the volume of the vessel and the terminal of destination of the vessel.

Linesmen
The linesmen service is obligatory (it consists of mooring and unmooring the vessels along the quays).

Towage
This service is not obligatory : Any ship’s master is free to use or not to use the towage company located in the Port, except in cases where the assistance of one or more tugs are imposed by the Harbour Master. With regard to oil tankers, specific provisions were drawn-up by the Prefecture of the Gironde.


FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Port call costs depend on a number of parameters.
If you need more detailed information, please contact :