Freight forwarders issue strike threat over demurrage waivers

Barely a week after the suspension of strike action by truck drivers, another strike is imminent which may further worsen the cargo congestion at the ports.

A group of freight agents are set to withdraw their services from port operations over shipping companies and terminal operators’ refusal to obey Nigerian Shippers Council ombudsman role.

The group under the aegis of Joint Freight Forwarders Association Committee, Apapa Chapter, called on the federal government to put in place measures to promote trade facilitation and the cost of doing business in the country.

The group comprises NAGAFF, ANLCA, NCMDLCA and AREFFN in a statement signed by the associations, lamented that the concessionaires and the shipping lines must be made to de- emphasise on demurrage charges.

According to the joint groups of practitioners, the terminal operators must consult the stakeholders before the introduction of any new charges.

They alleged that during the ten days withdrawal of service, the shipping companies had promised to waive demurrage charges on consignment at the ports but the reverse was the case when truckers suspended the strike.

Driving home their demands, the group further enlisted 21 points for both parties to work on to ensure speedy clearance of cargoes from the ports within three week.

They further urged the shipping companies to upgrade their facilities to promote efficiency, calling on them to reduce the time of positioning boxes for examination.

“The shipping companies and terminal operators must be made to realise that freight forwarders have the professional duty to advise their principals (importers), which shipping lines to use and terminal operators to stem their cargo, therefore they have the propensity to de-market and market any of them.

They also called on Messrs Dangote and Flour Mill to expedite actions on fixing the port access roads linking the ports, pointing out that the failed portions of the corridor contributed to slow movement of cargoes in and out of the ports.