In the wake of recent national protests, freight service providers in the nation’s maritime industry have taken a stand against the non-waiver of storage and demurrage charges amid the recent national protests.
Recall that the Nigerian ports had experienced significant disruptions, with skeletal services as freight service providers stayed away from the ports, leading to a buildup of charges for abandoned client imports.
Despite these challenges, terminal operators and shipping lines have indicated they will not grant waivers for these charges during the protest period.
However, reacting to the non-waiver of the demurrage, Dr. Eugene Nweke, a former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) called for fair treatment of the service providers. He clarified that while the national protests caused disruptions, freight service providers, including customs brokers and truckers, were not actively participating in the protests against economic hardship.
“Freight logistics providers are essential service providers, much like medical professionals who cannot abandon their duties, even during national protests,” Nweke emphasized.
He stressed that these professionals prioritize safeguarding their clients’ investments by avoiding cargo delivery during times of national unrest. This cautious approach is comparable to how essential services operate under the principle of safety and responsibility.
Nweke pointed out that freight logistics providers continued their work through online transactions, ensuring business continuity without risking the physical delivery of cargo.
He criticized news reports suggesting that the ports were fully operational and that the police assured of unhindered port activities, questioning the safety of cargo passage along key delivery corridors such as the Apapa-Oshodi-Badagry expressway.
On the issue of storage and demurrage waivers, Nweke strongly advocated for granting these waivers to importers during the national protests. He argued that national protests qualify as an “act of God” under marine insurance and shipping practices globally. “Neither the shippers nor their agents planned or participated in the national strike action. Therefore, it is reasonable to waive both demurrage and storage charges,” he stated.
Nweke emphasized that such waivers are not a matter of pleading, but a necessary and fair response to the situation.
He called for terminal operators and shipping lines to act with considerate operational dealings and heed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal for youths to end the protests.
