Shippers’ Association Protests as Maersk Line Introduces $300 Peak Season Surcharge
Container terminal at Apapa...
• Writes Nigerian Shippers’ Council
By Francis Ugwoke
The Shipping Association of Lagos State, SALS, has protested against a $300 peak season surcharge introduced by Maersk Line on goods destined for Nigeria.
President of the Association, Barr Leo Ogamba in a letter to the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) described the surcharge as frivolous and groundless.
Ogamba maintained that the introduction of the shipping charge did not follow due process.
Part of the letter to the ports economic regulator sighted by SHIPPING DAY reads:
“We the members of Shippers’ Association of Lagos State woke up on January 11, 2024, to read news about the purported imposition of $300. In the circumstance, we resolved to bring to your notice this deliberate disregard to Nigerian laws and/or breach of due process .Pursuant to such increase by Maersk Line.
“This has been Maersk’s perennial practice with intent to negotiate thereafter even when shippers have started paying. This is no longer acceptable on the ground that my members will not be coerced to pay for Maersk Line’s “choke point” in ocean route which triggers disruption coming from its reduced number of transit and in the circumstance decided to reroute their vessels around South Africa which in turn is also putting stress on its network.
“We know of fact that peak season is a period of increase in sales or demand, but the last we checked with National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria discloses that in third quarter of 2023, there was more export worth N23.3trn and total imports stood at N19.7trn which indicates trade surplus of N3.5trn.
“In the circumstance, the claim of $300 attributed to peak season for imports to Nigeria is frivolous and groundless.
“In addition to the immediate preceding paragraph, within the meaning of contract of affreightment, freight rate to a destination port with available cargoes for return voyage is lower than when there is no availability for return journey.
“Why is reverse the case in this circumstance?
“Assuming but not conceding that the $300 was reasonable, it did not follow due process and therefore not payable.
“We also use this medium to protest against exclusion of cargo owners in Lagos ably represented by Shippers Association Lagos State from meetings where shipping company and terminal charges were being discussed as evidenced during the discussion on renomination fees increase and the ongoing terminal charges increase just to mention a few.
“Sir, we appeal for your clarification and intervention please”.
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