• Freight forwarders dare concessionaires, terminal operators • ANLCA Boss: If they flouts the directive, we will use the opportunity to shut-down operations
• NAGAFF Boss: With our support , the Council can bite
Even as the newly-approved charges by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for terminal operators and shipping companies are expected to take-off today, freight forwarders have vowed to take-on the terminal operators and shipping companies if they fail to implement the rate-cut which was announced by the commercial regulator last week.
Leaders of freight forwarding associations; namely: NAGAFF , AREFFN and ANLCA told Shipping Position Daily exclusively in reaction to the new rates, that they will rally support for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to perform better as the port economic regulator.
The freight forwarding associations have also threatened to shut-down port operations if the concessionaires and the shipping companies fail to comply with the directives.
Specifically, the rate-cut which are expected to take effect from today include: Progressive Storage Charge and Free Storage Period for terminal operators. It also came hard on Shipping Line Agency Charge, Container Deposit, Container Cleaning and Maintenance Charge, as well as Container Demurrage, for shipping companies.
In the case of shipping companies, the Council had also announced some far-reaching decisions regarding: Shipping Line Agency Charge and Container Deposit charge. Also affected are: Container Cleaning and Maintenance Charge as well as Container Demurrage charge.
But last week, the National President of ANLCA; Prince Olayiwola Shittu reiterated that should the concessionaires fail to comply with the order, the freight forwarders will take the necessary action against the terminal operators.
Specifically, the rate-cut which are expected to take effect from today include: Progressive Storage Charge and Free Storage Period for terminal operators. It also came hard on Shipping Line Agency Charge, Container Deposit, Container Cleaning and Maintenance Charge, as well as Container Demurrage, for shipping companies.
In the case of shipping companies, the Council had also announced some far-reaching decisions regarding: Shipping Line Agency Charge and Container Deposit charge. Also affected are: Container Cleaning and Maintenance Charge as well as Container Demurrage charge.
But last week, the National President of ANLCA; Prince Olayiwola Shittu reiterated that should the concessionaires fail to comply with the order, the freight forwarders will take the necessary action against the terminal operators.
"The action by the Nigeria Shippers’ Council is a welcome development and if it is not adhered to or flouted by the concessionaires with impunity, then we will take the necessary actions from our own end"
"The Nigeria Shippers’ Council already has the legal backing according to the Act that established it and again the federal government by executive order has asked them to be the regulator and I want to see those who will flout that directives"
"Those that will flout that directives should go to court and we will go to court of public opinion", he said.
On his part, President of NAGAFF; Chief Eugene Nweke said that the action by the council is long overdue because according to him, there have been series of consultation by the council with the concessionaires and others.
Nweke stated that the terminal operators should justify their charges if they are not satisfied with the council's directives.
He stressed that "if they cannot justify why the charges should remain the same, then they should go back to status quo" .
Similarly, the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFFN) lauded the decision of the council to reduce the cost of doing business at the nation's ports.
President of the association, Dr. Frank Ukor said, "AREFFN wants to congratulate NSC for that milestone decision of regulating charges of Shipping companies and Terminal operators."
However a port activist, Comrade Pius David noted that the concessionaires will revolt against the council directive, but added that should the council succeed on the directive, it will mark a new beginning in port operation nationwide.
Also, Mr Lucky Amiwero, the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, said the decision would have positive impact on the entire maritime chain trade system.
According to him, “the Shippers’ Council has taken a right step to addressing some of the issues challenging trade in Nigeria, but they should not rest on this”.
He also said that the current approach by the NSC was part of the earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between licensed customs agents, signed with port stakeholders on charges, for trade facilitation.
“The Memorandum of Understanding was based on improving the local shipping charges in order to improve trade and it is good that true action is taken in that regard now.”
Also speaking, Mr Uchu Block, Deputy President of the council, said that the NSC had proactively implemented policies that would leverage maritime business.
He warned that agents would picket terminal operators if they fail to carry out government's directive.
“We are happy with this development and hope that the terminal operators will comply as directed because if they do not, we will picket them.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/anxiety-shippers%E2%80%99-council%E2%80%99s-directive-terminal-operators-shipping-coys-takes-today
According to him, “the Shippers’ Council has taken a right step to addressing some of the issues challenging trade in Nigeria, but they should not rest on this”.
He also said that the current approach by the NSC was part of the earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between licensed customs agents, signed with port stakeholders on charges, for trade facilitation.
“The Memorandum of Understanding was based on improving the local shipping charges in order to improve trade and it is good that true action is taken in that regard now.”
Also speaking, Mr Uchu Block, Deputy President of the council, said that the NSC had proactively implemented policies that would leverage maritime business.
He warned that agents would picket terminal operators if they fail to carry out government's directive.
“We are happy with this development and hope that the terminal operators will comply as directed because if they do not, we will picket them.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/anxiety-shippers%E2%80%99-council%E2%80%99s-directive-terminal-operators-shipping-coys-takes-today
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