MARITIME THIS WEEK : Recap of News, Events

MONDAY APRIL 6, 2020

Abiodun OBA

Editorial: Nigerian Shippers’ Council: Making the Ports Working Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

The whole country is literally on lockdown as a result of the rampaging coronavirus scourge. The wheel of the economy is at best muted because of the pandemic.

Most industries in the public and organised private sectors are at best working on skeletal basis. The SME businesses are not spared of the painful lockdown.

But despite the lockdown, the port industry is still kept opened and busy.

IATA asks FG to save 91,000 jobs by aiding Industry

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the Federal government to step up efforts to aid the industry and save 91,380 aviation jobs

IATA said Nigeria would record 3.5 million fewer passengers, resulting in a $ 0.76bn revenue loss, risking 91,380 jobs and $0.65bn in contribution to the country’s economy.

The association had earlier predicted that the disruption to air travel due to the continued spread of coronavirus would cost Nigeria’s aviation industry over $434m in revenue, 22,200 jobs and approximately 2.2 million passengers up from the 853,000 losses in passenger volumes and $170m loss in base revenue projected in early March.

House of Reps considers two-month free power supply to Nigerians

The House of Representatives is considering a stimulus bill that will ensure that Nigerians get free electricity supply for two months to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, who stated this on Saturday, added that the proposed bill would help in boosting the economy, especially the informal sector, as the country prepares for economic rebound after the coronavirus.

The Speaker said the second “Stimulus Bill” would be considered immediately the House reconvened from its ongoing break, which was declared due to the pandemic.

TUESDAY APRIL 7, 2020

Shippers’ Council petitions Ministry of Transport over exclusion from concession review committee

Exclusion of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) from the review of port concessioning agreement with terminal operators by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been described as arbitrary, inexplicable and unjustified.

Speaking to journalists, the executive secretary of the council, Barr. Hassan Bello said it was a paradox that a government agency created to regulate the activities of terminal operators is not in the know about the contractual agreement operators had with government.

He however said the review of the concessioning agreement without the input of the council will be counterproductive for the economy.

Recall that the federal government had appointed Shippers’ Council as port economic regulator.

They are to regulate the cost and efficiency of shipping and other auxiliary services in the sector.

According to Bello, concession agreement is not secret and does not belong to any agency; he argued that the port economic regulator must be mentioned in the agreement.

Dockworkers assured of biometric ID card after covid-19 pandemic

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General of the Nigerian Maritime Workers’ Union (MWUN) has assured dockworkers and seafarers that the biometric identity card would be ready as soon the country gets over the covid-19 pandemic.

Adeyanju gave the assurance while responding to questions from the dock workers when he visited some terminals at Lagos sea port, recently.

The visit with top echelon of the union was to fathom some of the challenges faced by members of the union especially during the lockdown period.

Comrade Adeyanju also called on terminal operators to comply with international best practices by providing necessary working and safety kits for the workers especially as covid-19 is raging across the world.

THURSDAY APRIL 09, 2020

ANLCA condemns non- implementation of 21 -day Storage charges waiver by terminal operators

The National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike has lamented the non-implementation of the of 21-day Storage charges waiver as directed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He disclosed this on a television programme in Lagos.

Nwabunike said terminal operators in Lagos ports are yet to implement the 21 days waivers of storage charges as mandated by the NPA.

Bello sensitises stakeholders on need to decongest seaports during Easter

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) during the week, urged clearing agents and other terminal operators to use the opportunity of the long Easter break to take delivery of cargoes already cleared by the Nigeria Customs Service out of the seaports.

NSC Executive Secretary/CEO Bar. Hassan Bello, who stated this yesterday during an on the spot assessment of operational activities at Five Star Logistics Limited, Tin-Can Island Port complex, Apapa, said the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) had assured him of the presence of Customs officers at the seaports.

FRIDAY APRIL 10, 2020

Five Vessels from High Risk Covid-19 Countries Visit Nigerian Waters – Navy

The Nigerian Navy said it has alerted the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Port Health and other relevant agencies of five vessels that visited countries with high risk Covid-19 pandemic on Nigerian waters.

Speaking yesterday during a courtesy visit on the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji stated that many of the Covid-19 prone vessels made calls at oil platforms and installation in the last one week.

Ghana Port Retains Demurrage, Storage Charges Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Even though, Nigerian clearing agents are at logger head with terminal operators and shipping companies at the Nigerian port over the alleged suspension of storage and shipping charges on cargoes for 21 days, the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) has retained collection of rents amid the fight against the global pandemic.

GPHA has insisted it will not suspend demurrage – fees paid for overstayed containers – and rent charges at the port, due to outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

According to the GPHA, all operations at the port are going on as usual apart from measures that have been instituted to reduce the number of people who could enter the port to help in respect of the social distancing protocol