The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has tasked shipping companies to abide by the Council’s regulatory framework, so as to drive efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of port processes.
In a statement by Mrs Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju Head, Public Relations, the Executive Secretary of the Council; Mr Emmanuel Jime stated this when he led the agency on a courtesy visit to Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in Lagos on Tuesday.
He urged the shipping firms to ensure the continuity of robust relationship with the Council.
Specifically, the NSC boss charged the shipping companies to operate within the regulatory framework of the Council, even as he directed that NSC personnel must have unfettered access to monitor their operations to ensure compliance to set standards.
He also said that the shipping firms must ensure that their charges are tied to service rendered in order to stem exploitative tendencies and arbitrariness.
Jime also said that the shipping companies must put in place a Customer Care Desk to handle issues and complaints on service delivery and that there should be frequent interaction with customers.
The Council’s helmsman also called for full digitization of operational processes for greater efficiency, effective management of return of empty container.
Other issues revolves around issues such as, shipping companies should adhere to government directives on evacuation of empty containers out of the country, shipping companies should ensure that consignees are not charged demurrage within the period of network down time.
He also said that, shipping companies must give adequate notification on the arrival of vessels and stemming of containers to shippers, shipping companies should ensure prompt refund of container deposit within agreed period of ten days, to ensure twenty-four hour port operation and incorporate multimodal approach to cargo delivery.
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In her response, the Managing Director, Maersk Line, Lara Lana expressed delight that NSC paid the visit. She lauded the Council for calling for the establishment of Customers Desk. NSC, she said, was the only agency that placed the interest of their customers at the forefront.
She noted that Maersk Line has created mobile applications for its customers to aid operations.
In a similar visit to Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Managing Director, Mr Andrew Lynch, said deplorable access to port was one of the challenges facing operations.
He affirmed their readiness to abide by NSC’s regulatory activities at the ports.
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