FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

71

day for freight vessels of from 3,300 to 13,000 deadweight tons. In
the case of faster vessels of more modern type the expense might
easily be twice that shown for vessels of similar tonnage, while for
larger vessels such as the trans-Atlantic combination passenger and
freight vessels they may easily run from $2,000 to $5,000 per day,
and even higher.
Port charges.—In the above statement of the immediate benefits to
the ship no consideration has been given to the reduction of port
charges. Many of the charges would be identical with those in customs
 ports. On the other hand, the regulation of these charges
would tend to prevent such exorbitant assessments as are sometimes
found at our ports. Of the charges against vessels usually applying
at our ports, dockage is the one most likely to be affected by the
availability of foreign trade zones. Dockage is a charge against the
ship for tying up or berthing at a wharf or pier. This charge varies
considerably, not only at the ports themselves but at the various terminals
 within a port. Railroads ordinarily make no charge for dockage
 of a vessel at their own terminals while such vessel is unloading
or discharging cargo on which the rail carrier is to receive or has received
 a line haul. Public terminals and private terminals usually
assess dockage charges as a legitimate and logical means of raising
revenue to maintain the facilities.
At certain ports charges are made against vessels for use of shedded
piers in addition to those of ordinary dockage. For purposes of estimate,
 the charge of 2 cents per gross registered ton per day, as applying
 at the Turner terminal at Mobile, Ala., may be taken as representative.
 For a vessel of 5,000 registered tons, or approximately
7,500 gross tons, this charge would amount to $150 per day. At New
York, where the wharves are leased to private interests and the latter
assess charges against shipping, dockage charges average from onehalf
 cent to 5 cents per net ton. In the case of the vessel of 6,450
deadweight tons already referred to as studied by the port facilities
commission the dockage charge for 11 days was $3,100, or an averge
 of $281.82 per day.
Having regard to the several items mentioned above affecting the
cost of vessels in port, it will be seen that the saving of both time and
out of pocket expense due to the convenience of the free port might
be expected to result in savings on freight vessels of from $500 to
$1,000 per trip.

DISPATCH IN LOADING AND DISCHARGING VESSELS

i sel
One of the factors contributing to the success or ture re.
{0 earn g profitable return is the promptness of her - i port,
Vessels are earning only when in motion, and time sp
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