Anxiety as Clearing Agents Threaten to Boycott Maerskline, Others over Charges … boycott will be counterproductive -Maersk line

ABIOLA Seun |

Clearing agents operating under the aegis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have threatened to direct importers to boycott the services of shipping companies over allegations of frivolous charges.

In a press statement made available to journalists by the head of special duty of the association, Emmanuel Agubanze, the group said it would advise Nigerian importers to stop patronising Maerskline, CMA/CGM and Cosco shipping.

But, Maersk line has called on the aggrieved clearing agents to engage the shipping line saying boycotting shipping line activities will be counterproductive for the country.

NAGAFF in the statement yesterday said its members may likely blacklist Maerskline, CMA and Cosco from undertaking their clients Nigeria bound cargoes.

The statement reads, “Those that may face the blacklisting shall include but not limited to Maerskline, CMA and Cosco etc. This shall soon happen thereafter we conclude discussion with friendly shipping lines.

“All freight forwarders are hereby directed to wait for further directive in this regard. It is time to draw the attention of all our principals to the seeming rip off being witnessed at the moment. It is time for self-regulation since we have all seen that Government is very slow in addressing the prevailing corruption and avoidable cheating on our maritime trade and transportation with emphasis on frivolous charges. We have accordingly directed the committee on shipping companies to turn in their report of findings within two weeks as regard breaches of standards procedures.”

The association however appealed to the Minister of Transportation to inaugurate the governing board of the council.

“We however appeal to the Hon. Minister of Transportation to take off time and inaugurate the Governing Board of CRFFN soonest. It is apparent that there is a systems breakdown in the administration and management of our ports operations wherein some of the operators act “ultra vires”.

Agubanze further stated that it would continue to question illegal charges placed on members of the association by shipping companies and terminal operators.

“We regret to understand that some of the terminal operators hold the belief that it is only shipping companies that are deemed to be their clients. We shall in due time respond most appropriately in that regard wherein we shall question the various illegal charges being imposed upon our clients. The issue of shipping companies’ disbursement account is still lingering at this moment,” he stated in the statement.

A senior manager in Maerskline who craved anonymity because he is not authorized to speak said since Maerskline brings 50percent of Nigeria bound cargoes; it will be difficult for importers to boycott their service.

He said, “It’s practically impossible to boycott these lines as Maersk Line brings in over 50% of cargo into Nigeria, no other line has that capacity so, either cargo will be stranded or prices will shoot up. One ocean network doesn’t have vessels coming to Nigeria while COSCO and PIL have Vessel Sharing Arrangement. So, boycotting Cosco means boycotting PIL.

“If there are issues, NAGAFF should engage the lines and resolve it because no proper alternatives to bring cargo to Nigeria.”