Truck Drivers increase charges on Hapag Lloyd containers by 500%

By Dapo Olawuni

Fresh indications have emerged that truck drivers at Nigerian ports are now avoiding importers with Hapag Lloyd containers, even as those agreeing to lift them have hiked their charges by 500%.

This development, our correspondent gathered from the port yesterday has generated a lot of tension which has eventually attracted the leadership of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to investigate the probable cause.

Confirming this to our correspondent in Lagos yesterday, Vice President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs service (ANLCA) Kayode Farinto said that ANLCA executives had led some of its top members on a fact finding mission to the shipping company office in Apapa.

He said the management of the shipping company had tendered a defense, saying that the situation was aggravated because most truckers prefer to come directly to the port with empty containers rather than make use of the container holding bays scattered around Lagos.

Farinto said the company has subsequently agreed to stop deducting container refunds for truckers with Hapag Lloyd containers once they have reached the queue, seeking access into the port.

“We have had several complaints from our members on operations of Hapag Lloyd, agents are saying that it is very expensive to handle their containers because transporters are charging extra to lift Hapag Lloyd containers, they collect over 500% extra”

“When we went there on a fact finding mission, they told us they have about four holding bays; Bollore, TICT, Creek Road and another at Orile”

“When we asked why it is difficult for our members to get transporters to carry their containers, they told us that some of our members prefer to bring the empty containers to the port”

“We have been able to resolve this, now if you’re having a delivery order, it is going to be stated there, the specific place to go and drop your container to any of the off dock”

“We also complained about the lack of convenience in the hall where they are doing documentation for release”

“They have said that once the container is on queue outside the terminal, agents should come and notify them so that they can stop deducting from the container deposit”

In the same vein, clearing agents have raised an alarm over some shipping companies refusal to refund container deposits to the clearing agents.

A frontline agent, Mr Frank Aliakor confirmed our correspondent that one of the major culprit of this practice; Maersk Line was requesting for importers cheque before a deposit paid by his agent or broker will be paid

“Maersk line shipping company unethical issue on payment of container deposit. Information reaching the association states that Maersk Line are requesting for importers cheque before a deposit paid by his agent or broker will be paid that is against the maritime or shipping companies policy on clearance of goods”

“It has been observed that shipping companies are introducing unnecessary bottle neck issues to frustrate cargo delivery and payment of container deposit” he said