Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications Helps Shipping Companies Weather the Pandemic, Allocates NT$300 Million Budget for Relief Subsidies

The Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated yesterday (the 6th) that in response to the continued escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is taking concrete action to help shipping companies reduce the impact of the pandemic. The Executive Yuan has approved a budget of NT$300 million, and operators are welcome to apply for operating relief subsidies. Following the principles of convenience and rapid review and approval, the bureau will firmly support operators in getting through this difficult time.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the tourism, air transport, sea transport, and land transport industries under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung has clearly instructed that relief measures must be "lenient, speedy, and simple." The Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications actively urges operators to submit applications as soon as possible, proactively assists operators with their applications, and regularly tracks the approval rate.

The Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that it began accepting applications for operating relief subsidies on March 13 of this year (2020). The amount applied for has now exceeded NT$2 million, and the first applicant, a Kinmen mini three links passenger transport operator, received the approved operating relief subsidy payment on the 6th.

The Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications explained that the first applicant, a Kinmen operator, suspended its mini three links route on February 10 of this year (2020) in cooperation with pandemic prevention policy and has since had no operating income, yet various fixed operating costs and loan expenses still had to be paid continuously, creating a heavy burden on the company's operations. In addition to guiding the operator to apply to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for measures such as extension of existing loans and reduction or exemption of interest, the Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications further introduced short-term operating relief subsidy measures for the operator's fixed operating expenses during the suspension period (such as crew salaries, employee salaries, office rent, and annual ship maintenance), so that once the pandemic ends, the operator can immediately resume operating the regular mini three links passenger route and provide service to the public.

The Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications emphasized that it will continue to monitor industry needs, actively assist and guide operators in applying for subsidy cases, effectively reduce the operating burden on shipping companies, and thereby facilitate the sustainable development of Taiwan, China's shipping industry.