Congestion looms at PTML, five Star Logistics Over Agents’ Strike 

Abiola Seun

The Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) and the Five Star Logistics Terminal, Apapa have expressed fear that their Terminals may be congested if the strike action embarked upon by the protesting Customs agents isn’t called off.

In a chat with journalists, the General Manager, PTML, Tunde Keshinro, said the terminal was battling to create vehicle slots for incoming ships.

He said, “The strike has affected delivery  and once delivery is affected, the terminal is unable to deliver discharge vehicles and when you are unable to discharge vehicles in the terminal, then vessels arriving will not be able to discharge and the terminal we get congested.

Keshinro who appealed to the Customs, and clearing agents to shealth their sword, said his terminal has capacity to handle over 10,000 unit of vehicles.

He, however, said that the terminal is not considering granting waivers to importers and clearing agents because they are not responsible for the strike action.

“We are engaging Customs, and clearing agents and we will also appeal to them to consider the overall interest of the trade and find a way to reach agreement. We are appealing to them to find amicable way of resolving the issue.”

On granting waiver to clearing agents and importers, on the trapped vehicles, he said, “The issue of waiver is not at the final position because it’s a continuous process because the issue is not directly in the hand of the terminal and neither are we responsible so, the terminal is open to its options and no final position taken yet.

Also speaking, the Customer care Manager, Five Star Logistics Terminal, Tin-Can Island port, Chuks Okereafor, said the terminal was almost filled up as well.

He, however, noted that the saving grace for the terminal was that it is not expecting any vessel until the first week of March, 2022.

“As far as am concerned, no tangible operation is going on at the RORO side of the terminal and because cargoes cannot leave the terminal, there will be congestion but, we are lucky that our RORO vessels are coming in the first week of March definitely, it will affect us as there will be congestion in the port.

For RORO service, the capacity is a little bit above 5000 unit but, expect the Customs and clearing agents to resolve the issue as quickness possible and if possible, the federal government should intervene by looking into the issue to see a way of resolving it because the service withdrawal that started since Monday affected PTML and Five Star Logistics Terminal,” he said