By Giwa SHILE
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Tuesday suspended the $400 surcharge imposed by some shipping companies on cargoes berthing at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports.
Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, said that the decision was taken after a closed door meeting with stakeholders in Lagos.
“ We had a meeting yesterday with the shipping companies that introduced the charges. We are still meeting again but what we said was that whether they are surcharges or local charges, it must be cleared with the council.
“The procedures was not followed, so the shipping companies will go back to their principal to convey the outcome to the carriers.
“They cannot just charge arbitrarily, first of all NSC opposed the charges especially because of the economy; secondly, the procedure is wrong, you can’t just slam charges without telling us.
“So we told them to suspend or stop the charges and consult their principal before the next meeting,’’ said the NSC boss.
He said that another meeting would be held to conclude on the matter on ground.
It would be recalled that CMA CGM had announced to importers and clearing agents that from Oct. 15 cargoes from any part of the world on EMA CGM ships will attract extra “USD 400 / EUR 850 per 20′ Dry and Reefer and USD 400 / EUR 350 per 40′ Dry and Reefer.
The action was based on the disruption of its activities due to the congestion in the two Lagos ports.
