Freight Forwarders Commend Shippers’ Council for Resolving Issues on Storages Charges by Concessionaires
NSC Tower
*It is a demonstration of efficient regulation – Chidi Opara
By Our Reporter
Freight forwarders have commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for promptly resolving the issues surrounding the “unilateral increases in charges by terminal operators and shipping companies”.
On of the freight forwarders, Chief Chidi Anthony Opara, said the early resolution of the issues by the Council has demonstrated “ the stuff efficient regulation is made of”.
Opara in a statement said : “Thumb Up For Nigerian Ports Economic Regulator (Nigerian Shippers Council):
“If a news media report that the unilateral increases in charges by terminal operators and shipping companies that have been threatening the peace in Nigerian ports have been resolved by Nigerian ports economic regulator, which is the Nigerian Shippers Council(NSC)is true, one cannot but give thumb up to NSC.
“That move, if true, is the stuff efficient regulation is made of.
“One may not totally agree with the decisions NSC took in the matter, but what is important is that decisions were taken and these decisions doused the tension in the sector and its subsectors.
“Other regulators in the sector and its subsectors should be ready to always step in to efficiently regulate within their respective regulatory mandates in real time, so as to engender harmony in the sector and its subsectors”.
Other freight forwarders have also described the moves by the Council’s Executive Secretary, Hon Emmanuel Jime, as timely and highly commendable.
One of them who pleaded anonymity said, “Council acted fast when it was clear there was tension on the increase by the terminal operators and this was quickly resolved” .
It would be recalled that the freight forwarders had frowned at the rate of increase of 600 percent by the concessionaires.
They had protested to the ports economic regulator which swung into action, promising to review the increase.
At a meeting summoned on Tuesday by Jime, the stakeholders reached a resolution with all the interested parties, particularly the freight forwarders who represent importers on the rate of increase.
Stakeholders who attended the meeting at the NSC headquarters were shipping companies, terminal operators, association of freight forwarders, among other interested parties.
The resolution obtained by SHIPPING DAY reads:
“A meeting was held today, October 24th, 2023, at the Shippers Council Hall, involving the Nigerian Slippers Council, shipping companies, terminal operators, and relevant associations/stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting was to address various issues and reach a resolution. The following resolutions were agreed upon:
“The number of free days for cargo storage at the terminals has been increased from 3 days to 5 days. This will provide more flexibility for shippers and reduce costs.
“The previously proposed 600% increase in terminal charges has been reduced to 400%. This adjustment aims to strike a balance between the needs of the terminal operators and the shippers.
“Break bulk cargo charges have been increased from 125% to 250%. This adjustment reflects the changing dynamics of the industry and ensures fair compensation for services provided.
“All complaints regarding inefficiencies by the terminal operators will be addressed immediately. This commitment aims to improve overall operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
“The Shippers Council has established a complaints desk at all ports. This dedicated desk will ensure that issues raised by stakeholders are resolved promptly and efficiently.
“Boxes that arrived prior to October 16th will be rated with the old rates. This provision aims to avoid any confusion or discrepancies in billing.
“Further discussions between the terminal operators and the Shippers Council will continue to refine and improve the processes. This ongoing dialogue will ensure that the interests of all parties are considered and addressed.
“The above resolutions will take effect immediately. All parties involved have agreed to abide by these resolutions and work collaboratively until further notice”.
The resolution was described as a demonstration of commitment on the part stakeholders to foster a harmonious working environment for the benefit of the industry.
Freight forwarders have commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for promptly resolving the issues surrounding the “unilateral increases in charges by terminal operators and shipping companies”.
On of the freight forwarders, Chief Chidi Anthony Opara, said the early resolution of the issues by the Council has demonstrated “ the stuff efficient regulation is made of”.
Opara in a statement said : “Thumb Up For Nigerian Ports Economic Regulator (Nigerian Shippers Council):
“If a news media report that the unilateral increases in charges by terminal operators and shipping companies that have been threatening the peace in Nigerian ports have been resolved by Nigerian ports economic regulator, which is the Nigerian Shippers Council(NSC)is true, one cannot but give thumb up to NSC.
“That move, if true, is the stuff efficient regulation is made of.
“One may not totally agree with the decisions NSC took in the matter, but what is important is that decisions were taken and these decisions doused the tension in the sector and its subsectors.
“Other regulators in the sector and its subsectors should be ready to always step in to efficiently regulate within their respective regulatory mandates in real time, so as to engender harmony in the sector and its subsectors”.
Other freight forwarders have also described the moves by the Council’s Executive Secretary, Hon Emmanuel Jime, as timely and highly commendable.
One of them who pleaded anonymity said, “Council acted fast when it was clear there was tension on the increase by the terminal operators and this was quickly resolved” .
It would be recalled that the freight forwarders had frowned at the rate of increase of 600 percent by the concessionaires.
They had protested to the ports economic regulator which swung into action, promising to review the increase.
At a meeting summoned on Tuesday by Jime, the stakeholders reached a resolution with all the interested parties, particularly the freight forwarders who represent importers on the rate of increase.
Stakeholders who attended the meeting at the NSC headquarters were shipping companies, terminal operators, association of freight forwarders, among other interested parties.
The resolution obtained by SHIPPING DAY reads:
“A meeting was held today, October 24th, 2023, at the Shippers Council Hall, involving the Nigerian Slippers Council, shipping companies, terminal operators, and relevant associations/stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting was to address various issues and reach a resolution. The following resolutions were agreed upon:
“The number of free days for cargo storage at the terminals has been increased from 3 days to 5 days. This will provide more flexibility for shippers and reduce costs.
“The previously proposed 600% increase in terminal charges has been reduced to 400%. This adjustment aims to strike a balance between the needs of the terminal operators and the shippers.
“Break bulk cargo charges have been increased from 125% to 250%. This adjustment reflects the changing dynamics of the industry and ensures fair compensation for services provided.
“All complaints regarding inefficiencies by the terminal operators will be addressed immediately. This commitment aims to improve overall operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
“The Shippers Council has established a complaints desk at all ports. This dedicated desk will ensure that issues raised by stakeholders are resolved promptly and efficiently.
“Boxes that arrived prior to October 16th will be rated with the old rates. This provision aims to avoid any confusion or discrepancies in billing.
“Further discussions between the terminal operators and the Shippers Council will continue to refine and improve the processes. This ongoing dialogue will ensure that the interests of all parties are considered and addressed.
“The above resolutions will take effect immediately. All parties involved have agreed to abide by these resolutions and work collaboratively until further notice”.
The resolution was described as a demonstration of commitment on the part stakeholders to foster a harmonious working environment for the benefit of the industry.
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