Even as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) had directed that all import and export consignments should henceforth be palletized, the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS) has kicked against the directive, saying that it would lead to increase in freight rates.
The new directive was part of the reforms in the 60 -day national action plan for ease of doing business which was issued in April 2017.
In a chat with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos last week, President of SALS; Rev. Jonathan Nicole said that the association does not welcome the directive and it is going to engage the shippers’ council on how to advise the government.
According to him, there are goods that may not necessarily need palletising. Some of the goods according to him include: raw materials and printing papers in large rolls. Others are second hand motor engines.
He assured that shippers are already collating the items and will surely engage the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to advise Government.
Nicole also noted that the implication of the directive is that Shipping Lines would want to break a cargo into multitudes of containers all in the name of palletising and this would cause shippers more.
"Shipping Lines may have more cargo by breaking the volume of cargo entering 1×40' into 3 containers thereby making the Shipping Lines make more money through freight and local charges"
"Shippers and Importers will pay more and if it is not economical, they might move their cargo elsewhere"
"Government should be more concerned about cajoling Shippers instead of how goods are packaged. We have not complained about packaging. We have complained about charges from the Quarantine Agency for charging Shippers for using wooden pallets. This policy negates the 24hour cargo clearance”, he said.
Meanwhile the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) had directed that used spare parts must be packed in cases and the case packed in pallets.
The packing list of the containers must be itemised as the goods are arranged in the containers.
Apart from these, vehicles imports should have the complete 17 digits VIN inscribed on the bill of laden. All form M goods should have the form M number stated on the Bill of Laden and all diplomatic goods indicated on Bill of Laden
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