After Boycotting Lagos Ports, Maersk Increases Freight Rate to Nigeria, Others

Abiola Seun

A few days after releasing notice to boycott the Lagos ports -Tin-Can and Apapa port- Maersk, the largest container carrier to Nigeria has announced an increase in Freight All Kinds (FAK) from the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to Nigeria and all other African countries.

The increment in freight charges which will be effective from February 2020, till further notice according to a report on container-news.com may not be unconnected with the IMO sulfur emission limit of 2020.

According to the website, a 20ft container from UAE Port to Dar es Salam port in Tanzania gas increased to $1150 while 40ft will now be lifted at $2300.

It reads, “Maersk is announcing an increase in FAK rates (Freight All Kinds). Below are the FAK rates for a sample list of corridors, commodities and container types where the rate increase is effective.

Though, earlier in the year, Maersk had in a notice to Nigerian importers, announced full compliant with the IMO’s directive to operate her ships with cleaner vessel fuel and has, therefore, stopped calls of vessels designated for Lagos port.

It, however, said all Maersk line vessels would henceforth patronize the Onne port in Rivers State from January 1, 2020.