«After two years with a pandemic and a war in Europe, the costs for especially the pilot service have increased more than expected in 2022. The unfortunate consequence is that the Pilotage Fees has increased more than the predicted general increase in costs for 2023,” says Director for Maritime Safety in the Norwegian Coastal Administration, Arve Dimmen.

The increase by 9.3 per cent in the Pilotage Fees are mainly caused by a high rise in transport costs. The index which regulates the price on pilot boats has increased more than expected, partly due to high fuel prices. The increase by 4.2 per cent in the Safety Fees is based on expected growth in wages and prices in 2023. 

The exemption in the Pilotage Readiness Fee for vessels up to 8,000 GT is prolonged to boost Short Sea Shipping. Vessels with a score of 50 or higher on The Environmental Ship Index (ESI), will also continue to receive a discount in the Pilot Readiness Fee. However, from 1 February 2023, vessels with a gross tonnage larger than 20,000 GT will achieve a discount of 50 per cent. This is a decrease in discount from 100 per cent in 2022. Vessels up to 20,000 GT will still achieve a discount of 100 per cent.

The Safety Fees will increase by 4.2 per cent on average. The Safety Fee for Grenland (Brevik) will increase by 8.5 per cent, the Oslofjord (Horten) by 4.1 per cent and Rogaland – Kårstø gas terminal (Kvitsøy) by 22.2 per cent.  The fees for other traffic in Rogaland (Kvitsøy) and for calls to Sture and Mongstad (Fedje) will not change in 2023.