How to calculate the charge for towage service in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1 Article 21 of the Circular 54/2018/TT-BGTVT, the charge for towage service shall be calculated as follows:

a) The towage service provider shall provide tugboats with quantity and power prescribed in the regional seaport regulation. The charge for a towage trip is the result of a multiplication of the towage charge specified in Articles 18, 19 and 20 of this Circular and the actual towing time.

Charge for a towage trip

=

Towage charge in the charge bracket for towage service

x

Actual towing time

b) The actual towing time begins from the time the towing vessel starts towing, tugging or pushing the towed vessel to the time such towage is completed at the request of the captain of the towed vessel and the pilot. The towing time that is less than 01 hour shall be rounded to 01 hour. The towing time shall be certified by the captain of the towed vessel or the pilot who guides such vessel;

c) In case of provision of a tugboat with the quantity and power higher than the level prescribed in seaport regulation of the regional maritime port authority, the towage service provider shall calculate the charge for towage service according to the quantity and power of the tugboat prescribed in seaport regulation of the regional maritime port authority and charge bracket;

d) In case of provision of a tugboat with the quantity and power higher than the level prescribed in seaport regulation of the regional maritime port authority at the request of the port authority, pilot, captain or shipping line, the towage service provider shall calculate the charge for towage service according to the quantity and power of the tugboat;

dd) If the towage service fails to satisfy the vessel’s demands for entry into to a port, the charterer is entitled to sign another towage contract.

e) If the towage service fails to satisfy the vessel’s demands for entry into to a port, the towage service provider shall maneuver a tugboat from another area to the towing position. The charge for tugboat maneuver shall be agreed upon by the two parties but must not exceed 70% of charge bracket for towage service according to this Circular and the actual number of hours of maneuver;

g) If the towage service provider provides a tugboat that fails to satisfy power requirement in accordance with the seaport regulation and at least 02 tugboats have to be used, the charge for towage service shall be calculated according to the charge bracket corresponding to the tugboat power in accordance with the seaport regulation.

Best regards!