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2010 Irish Lights Calendar October 19 2009 The 2010 Irish Lights calendar is now available. This calendar features photographs commemorating the various branches of the Lighthouse Service over the past 200 years. Draft Marine AtoN Strategy - 2025 and Beyond October 14 2009 2025 and Beyond is the United Kingdom and Ireland's marine aids to navigation (AtoN) strategy. It has been prepared by the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights for their users, partners and stakeholders. New Mizen Bridge! October 02 2009 Welcome boost for Mizen Head Tourism! A contract for the construction of a new bridge to the Mizen Head Lighthouse has been signed and work will start right away with the new bridge ready for next summer's tourist season. Minister Dempsey announces that the Light Dues rate from 1st August 2009 to 31st March 2010, has been increased from 52 to 57 cents August 06 2009 Minister Dempsey announces that the Light Dues rate from 1st August 2009 to 31st March 2010, has been increased from 52 to 57 cents per ton and the maximum number of voyages to be levied has been increased from 7 to 9 in any one year. The tonnage cap remains at 35,000 NRT. Please click here to see SI 297 of 2009 - MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIGHT DUES) ORDER 2009 |
                   
| DfT Shipping Minister Stephen Ladyman announces cut in Light Dues Friday, March 10 2006 UK GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES A CUT IN LIGHT DUES Shipping Minister Stephen Ladyman announced today that light dues paid by merchant ships for aids to navigation in UK waters will be reduced from 39p to 35p per tonne in 2006/07. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES A CUT IN LIGHT DUES Shipping Minister Stephen Ladyman announced today that light dues paid by merchant ships for aids to navigation in UK waters will be reduced from 39p to 35p per tonne in 2006/07. The tonnage cap will remain the same at 35,000 tonnes making the maximum charge for light dues £12,250 per voyage. The need to record the departure dates of vessels for collection purposes will be removed and so will the exemption from payment of light dues for vessels calling at a port in ballast. This will simplify the collection process. Light dues are a system of charges levied on commercial shipping calling at all UK and Republic of Ireland Ports. In the UK, the provision and maintenance of aids to navigation - such as lighthouses, buoys and beacons - falls to the three General Lighthouse Authorities (Trinity House Lighthouse Service, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights). Their costs are funded from the collection of these charges. Commenting on the new lower charges, Dr Ladyman said: "The Government remains committed to the present system of recovering costs but is determined to minimise the cost burden on the shipping industry. The rate per tonne has fallen repeatedly since its 1993 peak of 43p. The reduction I am announcing today means a further fall of 10.2%. This is a remarkable achievement during a period of major capital investment by the General Lighthouse Authorities and against a background of general inflation. I pay full credit to the Authorities for their commitment to an efficient and cost effective service providing aids to navigation. The strong performance of the underlying General Lighthouse Fund in the past year makes a cut on this scale possible. The cut returns to light dues payers the benefit of growth in the Fund, for as long as this proves possible." Dr Ladyman added: "This is excellent news for all merchant ships. I welcome the assurance of the Lights Advisory Committee, who represent the shipping industry, ports and cargo interests, that they are prepared to support a rise in light dues rates should this become necessary at some future date." |