More pressure groups align with maritime workers in planned protest over lack of holding bays.

The recent 21- day ultimatum recently issued to foreign shipping lines by the Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to acquire holding bays for their empty containers has continued to receive the supports that cut across the wide spectrum of interests in the maritime industry.

Within 48 hours of the issuance of the notice, group of operators have lent their voices in support of the maritime union.

The African Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) had on Wednesday supported the call for the strike, saying if the language that the shipping lines understood is strike, its members would not hesitate to join force with MWUN.

The group added that the activities of the shipping lines is causing untold hardship on Nigerians using the port.

The latest among the symphatisers to the cause of the maritime workers union was the Advocacy for Maritime Development Association, a group of Clearing agents with intent to bring innovations into freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.

The group agreed that it has become necessary that such action be taken because the foreign liners are feeling larger than life.

The President of the group, Segun Alabi, in a telephone chat with our correspondent on Wednesday said that MWUN might have spearheaded the campaign but it is an issue that affected all operators in the port environment.

Alabi said that “We support the call for strike action against the shipping lines and terminal operators

“What they are doing in this country is not obtainable anywhere in the world.

He blamed the attitude of the foreigners on the laxity of the government in its policy execution.