MSC shipping recoils, calls off-peak season surcharge on Nigerian-bound cargoes

Abiola Seun |

Few days after the multinational shipping line, Maersk suspends the collection of Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) slammed on Nigerian-bound cargoes, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has also followed suit by suspending the PSS on Nigerian bound cargoes.

Suspension of the Surcharge followed protest by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) against Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) introduced on Nigerian- bound cargoes by multinational shipping companies from September 1, 2020.

The Council however convened a meeting of the organised private sector to deliberate on the astronomical peak season surcharge imposed by shipping lines calling in Nigeria.

However, the Union of African Shippers’ Council (UASC), subsequently backed Shippers’ Council and called for immediate suspension of the surcharge calling it a violation of previous UASC/European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) agreement requiring prior mutual and reasonable notification of UASC and PMAWCA by individual shipping companies before any such imposition of new tariff, surcharges or increase in transport cost.

But, in a letter to the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello, the shipping company said PSS depends on origin of the cargoes.

In the letter signed by its chairman, Gianluigi Aponte, the company however disclosed that PSS on Nigerian-bound cargoes will stop from 1st September, 2020.

The letter reads, “We acknowledge receipt of your letter of 16 August, 2020, content of which received our best attention. After internal investigation, we have found out that the PSS application depends on the origin of the cargo.

“However, in view of your request, we have instructed our commercial department to stop applying the PSS from September 1st, 2020. Trusting to have satisfied your request,” the letter concluded.