Inconsistent port charges

Few ports at present have a wholly rational port-pricing system. One reason is that the concept of the autonomous port is a relatively recent one. In the past, many ports were administered by bodies such as customs or municipal authorities or directly as a government department, and port charges were therefore established and amended to satisfy not only the port requirements, but also those of the other parties involved. As a result, most port-pricing systems are very complicated; in consequence of technical progress in the operation and use of ports, such old-fashioned pricing systems have become unsatisfactory.