Foremost off-dock vehicle terminal; Clarion Bonded Terminal has said that due to the automotive policy of the Federal Government that discouraged importation of fairly-used vehicles into the country, it is currently handling new vehicles on behalf of companies in the automobile sector.
The vehicle terminal operator also stated that its relationship with Five Star Logistics Terminal and Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) both at Tin Can Island Port has been cordial ,saying that the two RORO terminals have been of assistance to the facility.
The vehicle terminal operator however said transfer of vehicles to the Alakija-based facility for onward clearance has been low in the last six months.
General Manager of the off-dock vehicle terminal, Mr. Frank Okocha told Auto Port Weekly in Lagos that "although the company still handles fairly-used vehicles, it appears we handle more of new vehicles at the moment.
Okocha stated that government policies on foreign exchange and that of the automotive policy are the major problems faced by the Clarion Bonded Terminal and that there is still the need for government to look inward and review the policy.
He added that the business is no longer attractive as it was some years back, noting that the units of fairly used vehicles transferred to the terminal is too low when compared to new ones.
The General Manager reiterated that importation of used vehicles has dropped, he said the need for the company to remain in business, gave rise to the company handling new vehicles.
Okocha stated that apart from vehicles, the terminal also handles containers in large volume as well.
"Importation of tokunboh vehicles to Nigeria has dropped and we have to survive"
"We have to look for other means to survive and handling of newly imported vehicles is the best option because it appears new cars are much more imported when compared to fairly used cars"
"Apart from new cars we are also into container handling and we have more container awaiting clearance from our terminal as well".
He noted that handling of imported fairly used vehicles is more preferable to the new cars, but since the policy of the federal government has not been encouraging, the terminal has no other option than to diversify.
According to him, tokunboh cars come to the facility in large number, adding that with special arrangement with the automobile firms, the new vehicles are transferred to the off-dock facility for onward delivery.
"We transfer our consignments from any of the terminal operators at the seaports and for the cars especially ; Five Star Logistics and PTML have both been of good assistance to us"
He disclosed that Kewelram Nigeria Limited are the owners of newly imported mini vans currently at the terminal.
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