A German shipping line is set to impose an "Ebola inspection fee" on shipments to and from West Africa, according to JOC.com, a maritime news Web site.
The inspection fee, $250 for a 20-foot container and $350 for a 40-foot container, will apply to cargo to and from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, the Web site reported. It will take effect on Sept. 21 for most shipments. For cargo to and from the United States, the fee will go into effect Sept. 29.
A German shipping line is set to impose an "Ebola inspection fee" on shipments to and from West Africa, according to JOC.com, a maritime news Web site.
The inspection fee, $250 for a 20-foot container and $350 for a 40-foot container, will apply to cargo to and from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, the Web site reported. It will take effect on Sept. 21 for most shipments. For cargo to and from the United States, the fee will go into effect Sept. 29.
Hapag-Lloyd, the world's sixth largest shipping line by some estimates, is apparently imposing the fee as a consequence of increased health inspections of ship crews by local authorities, according to the report, which quoted a notice from the ship line to its customers. Such inspections cause delays and operational issues, imposing unexpected costs on the carrier.
Shipping Position Daily had previously published reports of a likely freight rates hike on cargoes coming to Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea at the onset of the speared of the disease.
Recently also there was a hint of the increase, when a former chief executive officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Nigerian Ports Authourity and currently President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Chief Adebayo Sarumi raised the alarm at a members’ evening programme of the chamber.
Chief Sarumi, who acknowledged that Nigerian importers had expressed fear over a likely increase in the freight rate on cargoes to Nigeria as a result of the deadly virus, also confirmed that the fear has become a reality as the both the insurance rates and freight rates have been increased while surcharges have also been imposed.
Also confirming the increase, Director General of the Chamber; Mrs Ify Akerele had said that the rates have been increased because Nigeria has become a high risk area, even as she pleaded that the government must do everything possible to bring the situation completely under control.
“It is a tight situation, we can only complain but there is nothing we can do, all hands must be on deck to contain the virus.
The chamber’s boss however blamed the foreigners of wanting to take advantage of the situation by increasing rates adding that the same was done during the unrest in the Niger Delta region.
“She said “Despite the Niger Delta situation, they were still coming, now it Ebola virus and have increased freight rates again
She also disclosed that Chamber will initiate moves with relevant government authorities to negotiate the increase in freight rates with the foreigners.
“We will use the forthcoming African Maritime Summit coming up this month to discuss the issue of negotiation with the European ship owners”.
Also commenting on the increase freight rate, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello had said that increment was brought to Council’s notice a few days ago.
Hassan explained that these foreign ship owners have a penchant for increasing rates at the slightest opportunity adding that the recent increment in rates is unjustifiable.
He said the Council will use instruments of the International Maritime Organisation to trash the increment in rates.
“It has just come to our notice but not officially, but I know that the penchant is for carriers to raise all sorts of premiums at any given opportunity.
“I remember the war risk clause which is slapped on cargo on the pretence that Nigeria is at war, these are unjustifiable surcharges.
“We are going to use the Global Shippers Forum to talk the issues”. Hassan added.
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