There are indications that Maersk Line Nigeria Limited may soon lose many of its Nigerian clients over its new banking policy which has been described as unreasonable by importers and freight forwarders.
It was gathered that the shipping company had recently decided to restrict all it transactions with stakeholders to only four banks; GTB Bank, Citi Bank, Zenith Bank and Fidelity bank.
There are indications that Maersk Line Nigeria Limited may soon lose many of its Nigerian clients over its new banking policy which has been described as unreasonable by importers and freight forwarders.
It was gathered that the shipping company had recently decided to restrict all it transactions with stakeholders to only four banks; GTB Bank, Citi Bank, Zenith Bank and Fidelity bank.
Apparently not satisfied by the new policy, Executive Director of frontline freight forwarding company; Talod Oceanair Freight Limited; Mr. Wale Odu at a press briefing in Lagos last week condemned Maersk Line for failing to carry stakeholders along before implementing such a policy.
Odu lamented that his consignment had been trapped at the port because the shipping company rejected the bank cheque he had issued on behalf of his importer for the purpose of clearance.
He observed that the move will not only demarket other banks, but that it can also drive Maersk Line out of business because importers who do not keep accounts with the stipulated banks will not make use of the shipping company.
Odu lamented that he operates just one bank and that he cannot just proceed to open another account just for the Maersk Line transaction.
"They want to twist and force me to open account with other banks which I don't have any relationship with, where am I going to start?"
He said that since the CBN has not announced any bank to be weak, there is no need for Maersk Line to bring up such a policy in other to disrepute some banks.
"Talod Oceanair Freight is an exceptional company that is known at all the ports, Maersk Line should identify the reputable companies it is working with and handle them with due diligence" he requested.
He said that his lawyers had written but Maersk Line had responded that the decision had been announced at a recent workshop.
Odu however claimed that Talod Oceannair Limited was not issued any notice of such meetings.
"If you know the people you are dealing with you will write them officially and invite them for a meeting, we are all corporate entities"
"Duty paid through these banks has not been rejected by the Federal Government, so why should you be restricting your operations to certain banks" he said.
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