Entrepreneurs say the planned rise in rates will further affect the competitiveness of the productive sector, which is already battling with the slow pace of customs clearance in the terminal. To save time and minimize costs exporters are using the ports of Santo Tomas in Guatemala, Puerto Limon in Costa Rica and Acajutla in El Salvador.

"... Jose Raul Lopez, president of the National Federation of Customs Brokers of Honduras (Fenaduanah), warned that the situation will be aggravated further with the two hikes of 3% each, to be implemented in all rates which the concessionaire manages. The first will take effect in January and the second in March 2016. "

Laprensa.hn reports that "... In light of this news, entrepreneurs have requested that customs agents provide a study of the cost of bringing or sending merchandise through other Central American ports; where a container is released in 4 days and the price for services ranges between $70 and $150. "

Source: laprensahn.com

More on this topic

Honduras: Rates and Inefficiency of Puerto Cortés Criticized

January 2016

The cost and time to transport containers at the terminal are not competitive with other ports in Central America.

While moving a container in Puerto Cortés costs about $2,308, other ports in the region charge more competitive rates, such as Manzanillo, Panama ($665), Quetzal, Guatemala ($977), Limon, Costa Rica ($1,020), Acajutla , El Salvador ($1,040), Corinto, Nicaragua ($1,140), and Santo Tomas, Guatemala ($1,450).

Costa Rica: Port Charges in Discord

June 2011

While the Atlantic ports administration insists on a 21% increase, exporters and shippers are defending their position.

Loss of competitiveness against other nations and rising operating and logistics costs are some of the reasons that the Chamber of Exporters and Agents of Steamship Owners are giving to justify their disagreement with the proposed port tariff increase, which has been rejected by the Regulatory Authority of Public Services (Aresep).

Costa Rica: 21% Increase in Port Charges Rejected

June 2011

The Regulatory Authority for Public Services has rejected the increase in port charges at the Moin and Limon ports as requested by Japdeva.

A press release by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESP) states:

The Port Authority Board of Economic Development and the Atlantic (Japdeva) which is responsible for providing port services in Limon and Moin, has asked the Regulatory Authority for an average increase of 21% in port charges. The previous tariff setting was made in 2003.

Lower Rates for San Lorenzo Port in Honduras

February 2011

The Honduran State port terminal reduced its rates by 50% in order to compete with the Salvadoran port of La Union.

The manager of the National Port Authority, Maynor Pinto, told Laprensa.hn, "We negotiated with businessmen in Nicaragua for them not to take 400 containers a week to the Salvadoran port of La Union."