Importers Rate PTOL Terminal Low for Alleged Delay in Cargo Delivery

For allegedly failing to bring in the vessels conveying their goods to Nigeria at the agreed arrival date, importers and their freight forwarders operating at the Port Harcourt ports have rated the Ports and Terminal Operations Limited (PTOL) low in service delivery and efficiency.
The importers who expressed disappointment at the poor services being offered to them at the PTOL terminal alleged that the expected time of delivery for their cargoes had already elapsed without any trace of the vessel at the port.

For allegedly failing to bring in the vessels conveying their goods to Nigeria at the agreed arrival date, importers and their freight forwarders operating at the Port Harcourt ports have rated the Ports and Terminal Operations Limited (PTOL) low in service delivery and efficiency.
The importers who expressed disappointment at the poor services being offered to them at the PTOL terminal alleged that the expected time of delivery for their cargoes had already elapsed without any trace of the vessel at the port.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent at the Port Harcourt port also noted last week that there was palpable tension among the freight forwarders who operate at the PTOL terminal.
Some of them who spoke with our correspondent alleged that the management of the terminal had practically begged the operators to bring in their cargoes through the terminal because it is being starved cargoes. They alleged that it had promised a hitch-free delivery which according to them has not been delivered.
A customs clearing agent who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity disclosed that he is currently in deep problems, because he convinced his importer to use the Port Harcourt port. ‘’Now what can we do?  They are telling us that the vessel is still unable to load enough cargo before it can sail from Europe’’, the clearing agent lamented.
He disclosed that this is not the first time that PTOL has allegedly deceived importers.      
Also speaking under anonymity, another freight forwarder explained that he agreed to convince his importers to ship his cargo through the PTOL terminal at Port Harcourt ports after being convinced to use the terminal; he described the disappointment as unfortunate.
He alleged that the PTOL is not ready to invest appropriately in the Port Harcourt Ports terminal, particularly on logistics and handling equipment to handle containers for quick delivery.                                                
Our correspondent however gathered from reliable sources that the shipping company in Europe which agreed to give the voyage a trial is currently about 15% loaded with cargo, leaving 85% of the vessel still empty.  
The source said that the shipping company (name withheld), has refused to sail, because of low volume of cargo for shipment to the Nigerian port of Port Harcourt.