By Olubunmi ISOKPEHI, Lagos
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has threatened to take actions against shipping companies/agencies, Seaport Terminals over arbitrary charges.
This information was contained in a statement issued by Head of Public Relations, NSC, Mrs. Rakiya Zubairu and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
The statement reads in part: ” The NSC has been inundated with compliants against shipping companies/agencies, Seaport Terminal Operators and Off – Dock Terminals on the arbitrary levy of container demurrage, storage and transfer charges on innocent consignee.”
It added, ” The charges were for transportation of cargoes to off – dock terminals unilaterally initiated by terminals without the consignee concent.”
It asserted, ” It should be noted that based no International standard and recognised practise, freight paid at origin covers movement of cargo to final Port of delivery at destination.”
Adding, ” It follows therefore, that cargoes earmarked for transfer to Off -dock terminals at the request of the shipping companies, Seaport terminal operator or off – dock terminal, without the consent of the consignee or their authorized representative, should not attract charges against the consignee.”
She opined, “Where the operational convenience of the Seaport terminals or some other prevailing circumstances necessitate the transfer of cargoes from the Seaport terminals to Off- dock terminals, the concerned consignee or their authorized agents must be notified in good time.,”
It posited, ” Storage and demurrage charges on cargoes earmarked for transfer from Seaport terminals to Off-dock terminals, without the consent of the Consignee, should take effect only after arriving at the designated off- dock terminals.”
Adding, ” NSC consider this act as unethical and Unwholesome.”
It asserted, ” Consequently, all transfer charges collected from Consignee of cargoes transferred from Seaport terminals to Off-dock terminals, from June 1st to date, must be refunded to the Consignee immediately.”
It warned, ” Failure to refund such charges will lead to the council invoking it’s regulatory powers to enforce Compliance.”
