NPA insists on sweeper vessels to evacuate containers from terminals

In order to tackle issues of overtime cargoes at the Lagos seaports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has directed shipping companies to deploy sweeper vessels to evacuate empty containers from the terminals within a period of four months.

NPA in a statement on Wednesday, signed by Engineer Adams .A. Jatto, General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communication urged the shipping line agencies to make use of Onne ports for the evacuation process.

The maritime Authority maintained that it is imperative that the ports are meant to be transit and not storage facilities, pointing out that it recognized the financial implications of government policies on the terminal operators and shipping companies ,thus will consider a shift in operational charges to ameliorate the situation of stakeholders.

According to the statement with eight point agenda in addressing congestion at the Lagos seaports, noted that “With effect from Tuesday, December 18, 2018, there will be an increase in the demurrage free period on return of empty containers from the current 5 days period to 15 days for a period of four months.

“With effect from Tuesday, December 18, 2018, there will be an increase in rent- free period for cargoes housed in the terminals from the current period of three 3 free days before commencement of rent charges to 21 free days before commencement of rent charges for a period of four months.

NPA further reiterated that”The Nigerian Customs Service is urged to immediate commence the process of auctioning of overtime cargoes.

” These auctions should be carried out on the spot at Port locations and every buyer would be given a stipulated short period to evacuate the cargoes out of the Ports after which they will be re-auctioned.

“Terminal operators are however encouraged to negotiate and grant waivers to consignees to facilitate the evacuation of these cargoes to mitigate against the auctioning which will result in a total loss of revenue by the terminal operator and the loss of cargo by the consignee.

The Authority announced that these measures are emergency steps taken to immediately reduce the financial burden of congestion on citizens as the federal government proceeds to permanently resolve the congestion through reconstruction of the Port access road.

Apart from the roads, NPA said the provision of trailer park and holding bays with e-call up system, was key to ease congestion, adding that the enhancement of cargo evacuation using rail transportation and inland waterways with barges was necessary.