Urge Agents to Take Delivery

Hassan Bello, ES/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council

Following the Presidential directive that port operations are essential services, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), as the Port Economic Regulator, has been monitoring activities to ensure that Nigerian seaports run efficiently and smoothly under the present circumstances.

In carrying out its regulatory function, the Council said strict compliance with the existing health and safety guidelines for the prevention and containment of the spread of COVID-19 has been carefully observed.

However, the NSC has observed that some shippers, through no fault of theirs, are unable to take delivery of their cargo because of lack of public transportation, inadequate banking services and limited service providers due to reduced workforce and other operational constraints.

Owing to these limitations, the Council has directed shipping companies to suspend demurrage charges during the period of the COVID-19 lockdown with effect from 30th March 2020.

The Council insists that this suspension strictly applies to cargo that were discharged at the terminals from 30th of March 2020.

To this end, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council directs that all demurrage charges during this period should be refunded to the consignee or his authorized agent forthwith.

For the avoudance of doubt, the Council makes it clear that this suspendio is an incentive for owners of cargo to accelerate the process of taking delivery of their cargo.

The Council warn shippers not to take the suspension of demurrage charges as an excuse to delay or abandon cargo at the ports as erring shippers will be sanctioned in addition to having to pay the demurrage due on their cargoes.