Caption: A Cross Section of Imported Used Vehicles at the popular Berger Automobile Market, along Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Lagos
Africa’s biggest automobile market, Berger Auto Market in Apapa, Lagos has confirmed that its members had vehicles in the car carrier; MV Höegh Xiamen, that got burnt recently in a port in USA.
The auto dealers affirmed that, some of the 2000 vehicles were actually destined for the Nigerian auto market.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that about 2000 vehicles that were destined for Nigeria and some West African countries have been consumed in an inferno which erupted on a car carrying vessel; MV Höegh Xiamen. The ship was berthed at the Blount Island vehicle handling terminal at the US port of Jacksonville (Jaxport), where the fire started on Thursday June 4th.
Port officials confirmed that, the Hoegh Xiamen was carrying a consignment of used cars intended for export to the West African market even as reports said the fire started around 4pm on the seventh deck, but quickly spread to other decks at a temperature of about 1000 degree Celsius, leading to the invitation of firefighters from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department who spent three days to put the fire under control.
News of the accident which broke in Nigeria recently has led to fear among owners of the used vehicles that were imported from several parts of the United States of America and destined for Nigeria.
While confirming the accident, the president of United Berger Motor Dealers Association, Metche Nnadiekwe told our correspondent in a chat in his office at Berger that it is difficult for vehicles destined for the African biggest automobile market not to be in the ill-fated vessel.
Giving details of how many vehicles destined for the market that may have been involved in the accident, Nnadiekwe explained that although was yet to receive any official complaint from any of its member in that regards.
“Nobody has reported that case to us unless they are yet to report, but for now nobody has reported. But there is no way a vehicle destined for Berger will not be on board that ill-fated vessel, it just that nobody has reported anything yet. If I get an update if any vehicle is there, I will call you. there is nothing like compensation from the association for anybody who has a vehicle on board the vessel, the person is on his own”, he concluded.
