by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Dover Harbour Board has decided to freeze the tariffs charged to ferry operators for using the port for the first six months of next year, the Dover Mercury can reveal today.

This will give more time for consultation between DHB and P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways and particularly the newest ferry company My Ferry Link which has not had the same opportunity to be involved in discussions.

The ship, passenger and goods tariffs for 2010 and 2011 were at the heart of a bitter dispute between the board and the ferry companies which resulted in a lengthy public inquiry in Dover last year. The Inspector found in favour of the Harbour Board.

Board members then decided to establish a Tariff Framework Model to help when setting future tariff levels, but the board said it had not yet received comprehensive responses from all the ferry operators.

In addition, parts of the model could not be finalised because not all the projected costs for work to the harbour had been included in the calculations.

The board had planned to introduce the new tariffs on January 1, but the existing tariffs will now be frozen until July 1.

Port chief executive Bob Goldfield said that as well as allowing time for further consultation "on a longer term price path" it would also help the operators through the winter trading period.

A further review will take place in June.