Terminal operators lament increasing volume overtime cargoes

Haastrup also said that because there are so many laden containers in the terminals, the space to take empty containers is limited, explaining that terminal operators make more money when they have more space to do container operations.
She stated: “Let the Nigeria Customs Service come and auction these overtime cargoes because they occupy commercial spaces in our terminals. If that is taken care of, they can dedicate a large space for empty containers.

“Right now, because they have so many laden containers, there is a limit to the number of empty containers they can take.
“Not accepting empty containers into the terminals is not willfully done by terminal operators, no responsible terminal operator will want to refuse empty container.

“If we can turn our spaces around as often as possible, we will make more money, I am telling you. The more container operation we do the more money we make. The more space you have and you are able to turn round your space the more money you make.

“It does not augur well for anybody to keep container out there; you actually make more money when you handle more ships and more containers overtime.”
Haastrup also attributed the present
congestion at the ports to the absence of scanner adding that all Customs want to do is 100 percent examination of cargoes.
“Where is 100 percent physical examination of cargo done in the world”, she queried.
She explained that physical examination of cargo is a very slow process and the importers incur more cost due to the delay in the processes and procedures of cargo clearance