CPA discontinues temporary waiver of wharfage fees for humanitarian relief shipments at seaport

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has discontinued its temporary wharfage fee waiver program, which was implemented for humanitarian relief goods entering the CNMI in an effort to ensure essential aid reaches those most in need in the aftermath of the storm.

“Effective May 31, 2026, CPA will discontinue the temporary waiver of wharfage fees for humanitarian relief shipments into the seaports, and all applicable tariff charges will resume in accordance with $40-20.2-110,” CPA executive director Esther Ada wrote in a May 29, 2026, memorandum to seaport stakeholders.

She added, “The program successfully assisted relief organizations, government agencies, utility providers, and donors in expediting the delivery of humanitarian assistance and critical recovery resources throughout the emergency response period.”

“As the CNMI transitions from emergency response to long-term recovery and stabilization, CA must also begin to return its operations to normal business practices. While the waiver program provided substantial public benefit, it has also resulted in the forgone collection of revenues that are essential to maintaining and operating the CNMI's seaport infrastructure,” she explained.

Ada said the decision to discontinue the waiver program was not made lightly, but CPA is under financial strain with limited resources amid a struggling economy post-storm.

In response to MP’s request for comment, Ada clarified that non-profit organizations still receiving donations from off-island can still apply for the waiver, and CPA will review them on a case-by-case basis.

“The current procedure is to apply as well because we are tracking the applications and the amounts that we have waived. If we continue to receive applications, we can handle those on a case-by-case basis,” Ada told MP.

The CNMI Typhoon Support Logistics Center expects more containers to arrive from the continental U.S. as it continues to provide direct relief to those most in need after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.