Two terminal operators at Tin Can Island port in Lagos; Five Star Logistics Terminal and Port and Cargo Handling Services are currently engaged in a fierce battle over RoRo operations at Tin Can port.
The battle which first reared its head about three weeks ago when Port and Cargo, which is owned by Sifax Group was preparing to receive a car carrier; MV Glovis Supreme, came to the fore again about one week ago when Port and Cargo notified the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) of the coming of yet another RoRo vessel at its Terminal ‘C’ at Tin Can.
Sources at the NPA confided in one of our correspondents that as soon as Port and Cargo notified NPA of the imminent arrival of the vessel named MV Firus loaded with 977 units of used vehicles, its rival; Five Star Logistics Terminal wrote to the NPA, saying that the vessel must berth at its terminal.
It was confirmed that the embittered terminal operator actually took its petition against Port and Cargo to NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations; Dr. Sokonte Davies who reportedly had given directive that MV Firus must not berth at Port and Cargo, but at Five Star.
The source told Shipping Position Daily that:“This is the second time that Five Star would be kicking against Port Cargo handling of RoRo vessels, the issue first came up when the terminal was expecting MV Glovis Supreme in August, but we told Five Star that both of them had the right to handle RoRo vessel in line with the concession agreement they entered into with us”
“The ED was almost deceived into stopping the ship from berthing at Port and Cargo, but I think he was advised by those who knew better to stop the action”
“There is no where it is stated that they can not do RoRo vessel, when the matter first came up, we summoned the two of them for a meeting, they both stated their cases. At the end of the meeting, it was clear to them that they had equal right to do containers and RoRo vessels”.
He also explained that at the level of management, “we were surprised when early this month and after Port and Cargo had notified Tin Can port that it was expecting another RoRo ship, Five Star wrote to contest it”.
“I think it is unfair to deny Port and Cargo the benefits of sourcing for cargo and trying to shore up its throughput. Why should we give a cargo that has been secured by Port and Cargo to Five Star”, he added.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed that, it was after the Executive Director was advised at both the Port and Western Zone levels that he saw reason.
Eventually, the MV Firus RoRo vessel laden with 977 used vehicles berthed at the terminal located at Port and Cargo terminal on Saturday 10th September 2016 and sailed out during the recent Sallah holidays.
Confirming the ship’s arrival and departure to our correspondent, over the weekend, Sifax Head of Corporate Affairs; Mr. Muyiwa Akande said that SIFAX group has entered into a business agreement with AES and Hyundai Glovis over RoRo services.
When asked if there are issues concerning the RoRo services, other competitors , Akande maintained that "my concern here is that SIFAX as a group and AES and Hyundai Glovis have a business relations on this service and I cannot comment on what I don't know about"
"What I can only tell you is that we have a relation with the two organisations, and on two occasions now car carriers ships have called at our terminal ",he added.
In a statement he had earlier issued, Akande had disclosed that SIFAX Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, has been officially appointed as the new agent of Auto Export Shipping (AES) in Nigeria and Ghana.
He noted that A.E.S. is a non-vessel operating common carrier, which handles shippers' exports of vehicles including automobiles, trucks, and mobile industrial equipment via roll on/roll off vessel services from U.S. ports to various West Africa ports.
According to him, President of AES; Mr. Pete Bottino, the new appointment, which takes effect from September 1, 2016, is a testament of SIFAX Shipping’s track record of excellent service and ingenious business acumen that have seen the company work for some of the biggest clients in the industry.
He said: “AES is pleased to announce our business relationship with SIFAX Shipping Company Limited. The company will serve as our releasing agent in Nigeria and Ghana for all our RORO Shipments to Lagos and Tema, which will be operated by Hyundai Glovis, one of the leading global shipping lines. As a leading player in the maritime industry across West Africa, we are convinced in the ability of SIFAX Shipping to deliver quality service and meet all expectations.”
While responding to the appointment, Mr. John Jenkins, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, thanked AES for the opportunity to partner with the company, adding that SIFAX Shipping would exhibit the tradition of delivering best value which all SIFAX Group subsidiaries are noted for, the statement added.
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