The fall season in Vancouver is marked annually by the browning of the leaves, the return of the rain and the Pacific Pilotage Authority’s (PPA) announcement of impending fee increases. And on September 27, the PPA released their latest Notice of Revised Charges that will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Per the PPA announcement, “To maintain financial self-sufficiency in this environment and meet its commitments, the Authority proposes an increase in the hourly and unit fee rates for 2024 of 2.5%.” This increase to fees is based on expected increases to posted rates of inflation and will be needed to cover the ensuing increases to both the PPA’s operating and fixed costs. The Authority’s contract with the BC Coast PIlots is directly linked to changes in the rate of inflation and is measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Over the past few years, we have seen pilotage costs here increase to the point that they are now about equal with tugs costs for the biggest expense on vessels port calls to Vancouver.

The deadline for stakeholders’ input to the proposed fee increases is Oct 27.

The PPA’s full notice can be seen here.