APFFLON Demands Sanctions Against MSC Over Empty Container Crisis 4
By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called for immediate sanctions against Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over what it described as the shipping line’s persistent failure to provide adequate facilities for the return of empty containers at the Apapa and Tin-Can ports.
The association alleged that the situation has created serious bottlenecks in cargo evacuation, prolonged truck turnaround time and contributed to congestion within the Apapa port corridor.
National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, who made the demand in a statement, also accused the shipping line of imposing additional financial burdens on importers and freight forwarders who are unable to return empty containers within the stipulated period.
According to him, the alleged shortage of adequate holding bays and designated collection points for empty containers is undermining ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve port efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.
Ogunojemite said it was unacceptable for a shipping company to release containers to importers without putting in place an efficient system for receiving the containers after their use.
“It is unacceptable for a shipping company to continue issuing containers to importers without providing an efficient system for receiving the empty containers after use.
“This operational failure has become a major contributor to congestion at Apapa and is inflicting enormous financial hardship on importers, freight forwarders and transport operators,” he said.
APFFLON further alleged that importers are being compelled to pay excessive container detention and demurrage charges because they are unable to return empty containers within the allowed free period due to the alleged lack of receiving spaces.
The association questioned why importers should bear the financial consequences of what it described as an operational problem created by the shipping line.
“The question is simple: Why should importers be punished financially for a problem created by the shipping company? This amounts to exploitation of Nigerian businesses and runs contrary to the principles of fair trade and ease of doing business being championed by the Federal Government,” APFFLON said.
The freight forwarding body warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could undermine the Federal Government’s port reform programme and frustrate efforts to reduce cargo dwell time, lower logistics costs and position Nigerian ports as a competitive regional maritime hub.
APFFLON therefore urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate the allegations and take appropriate regulatory action.
Among its demands, the association called for the immediate provision of adequate holding bays and empty-container collection centres by MSC.
It also demanded the suspension of demurrage and detention charges in cases where importers are unable to return empty containers because of inadequate reception facilities.
In addition, APFFLON called for compensation for importers and freight forwarders who may have suffered financial losses as a result of delays allegedly caused by the shortage of empty-container reception facilities.
The association further urged regulators to enforce service standards and impose appropriate sanctions on any shipping company found to be creating artificial bottlenecks for commercial gain.
APFFLON maintained that Nigerian ports must function as engines of economic growth rather than centres where operational inefficiencies are transferred to legitimate businesses.
The association said it remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s port reform agenda while advocating greater transparency, efficiency, accountability and protection for port users.
