Based on allegations leveled against the terminal by the Lagos Shippers’ Association; the Nigerian Shippers Council has ruled that the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) should reverse its policies which are said to be inimical to trade facilitation.
Perhaps, taking on the desired role of a regulator and mediator, the Council ruled that the upfront payment of storage charges should be reverted, and that the TICT cargo examination period which hitherto takes nine days, should be reduced to zero waiting time
Based on allegations leveled against the terminal by the Lagos Shippers’ Association; the Nigerian Shippers Council has ruled that the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) should reverse its policies which are said to be inimical to trade facilitation.
Perhaps, taking on the desired role of a regulator and mediator, the Council ruled that the upfront payment of storage charges should be reverted, and that the TICT cargo examination period which hitherto takes nine days, should be reduced to zero waiting time
The Council has also directed that the transfer of containers from the TICT to its off dock terminal must now be done with the full consent and notification of the shipper.
These were some of the resolutions reached at the end of a meeting between the Shippers Council, the Lagos Shippers Association represented by its General Secretary, Rev. Jonathan Nicole and the management of the TICT represented by its Manager, Mr. Richard Akinbosotu in Apapa Lagos yesterday.
The other resolutions reached at the mediation meeting is that: all fast track containers should be delivered direct to the owners and that rent on containers should only commence after vessel has sailed and container has been identified.
In his opening speech at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello pointed out that there is need for harmony and mutual respect between both parties in other for shipping to thrive.
"We are doing this in accordance with the law that set up the council by trying to make sure these two sides understand each other. We are not macro managing the relationship between the two, but we are looking at the economy, we want faster clearance procedure, we want moderation in tariff, we want containers to be moved out as soon as possible from the terminal operators, we want cargo to be delivered to the shipper in good time with no damages and others complains" he said
Bello stated that there is no reason why Nigeria should be an exemption of what is obtainable in other countries of the world.
He pointed out that Shippers Council as a responsible organization is not holding the meeting in order to take sides with any of the party and reprimand the other, but that it intends to build a better relationship.
"Our role is an umpire to see that there is engagement, why we invited the terminals is because of the seriousness of the issue, otherwise we deal with complaints every day, every day is a complains day at the council, our officers are all over the terminal solving one problem or the other, but when you have this magnitude of complain you have to summon the terminal operator to come forward"
"We can use the sledge hammer if we want to, but there is no need for that at this material time" Bello said.
Speaking exclusively with Shipping Position Daily at the end of the meeting, the General Secretary of the Lagos Shippers Association, Rev. Jonathan Nicole confirmed that the management of the TICT has agreed to comply with the directives of the council.
Nicole gave some of the challenges faced by shippers at the terminal at the tin can port to include the transferring of containers to off dock terminal without the prior notice of the owners; according to him this causes delay in delivery process.
"It became necessary for us to invite them to a meeting so that we can find solutions, its not to blame anybody"
He said both parties have agreed to cooperate and work together to find solutions to the numerous problems of cargo delivery.
"We agreed that we will work cooperatively and they have agreed to improve on their services, they said that they had placed some plans on ground but that customs is not cooperating with them, but now they have zero waiting time for physical examination"
"Initially it takes them nine days to position containers for physical examination while scanning takes you two weeks"
Rev. Nicole told our correspondent that the terminal has assured that it does not charge shippers any money for the transfer of containers from the terminal to the off dock terminal.
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