The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has ordered immediate refund of all transfer charges collected from consignees of cargoes transferred from seaport terminals to off-dock terminals, from June 1 to date.
Head of Public Relations, NSC, Ms. Rakiya Zubairu, who issued the directive in a statement in Lagos, warned that failure to refund such charges will prompt the council to invoke its regulatory powers to enforce compliance.
Zubairu said that the NSC has been inundated with complaints against shipping companies/agencies, seaport terminal operators and off-dock terminals on the arbitrary levy of container demurrage, storage and transfer charges on innocent consignees.
She noted that the charges were for transportation of cargoes to off-dock terminals unilaterally initiated by terminals without the consent of consignees.
According to her, based on international standard and recognised practice, freight paid at origin covers movement of cargo to final port of delivery at destination.
“It follows therefore, that cargoes earmarked for transfer to off-dock terminals at the request of the shipping company, seaport terminal operator or off-dock terminal, without the consent of the consignees or their authorized representatives, should not attract charge(s) against the consignees,” she explained.
Zubairu said the NSC had resolved that all service providers must be guided that import cargoes should be delivered to the nominated port of destination as stated in the Bill of Lading.
Furthermore, she explained that where the operational convenience of the seaport terminals or some other prevailing circumstances necessitate the transfer of cargoes from the seaport terminals to off-dock terminals, the concerned consignees or their authorized agents must be notified in good time and must not be charged the cost associated with such transfer, including barging cost.
She declared: “Storage and demurrage charges on cargoes earmarked for transfer from seaport terminals to off-dock terminals, without the consent of the consignee, should take effect only after arriving at the designated off-dock terminals. The NSC considers this act as unethical and unwholesome.
“Consequently, all transfer charges collected from consignees of cargoes transferred from seaport terminals to off-dock terminals, from June 1 to date, must be refunded to the consignees immediately.
“Those charges were at the instance of the shipping companies/agencies, seaport terminal operators or off-dock terminal operators, and without the consignees requesting for such transfer.”
The NSC therefore warned that “failure to refund such charges will lead to the council invoking its regulatory powers to enforce compliance.”