Shippers’ Councils New Rates Will Put More Hardship On Nigerians- Shipping Companies

Some shipping companies in Nigeria have expressed disappointment over the newly-reviewed benchmark rates on freight charges by the Nigerian Shippers' Council.
They expressed their anxiety at a sensitisation meeting on the 3% reviewed benchmark rates organised by the Nigeria shippers' council in Lagos.
The shipping companies complained about the high benchmark rate despite port concession that took place in 2006.

Some shipping companies in Nigeria have expressed disappointment over the newly-reviewed benchmark rates on freight charges by the Nigerian Shippers' Council.
They expressed their anxiety at a sensitisation meeting on the 3% reviewed benchmark rates organised by the Nigeria shippers' council in Lagos.
The shipping companies complained about the high benchmark rate despite port concession that took place in 2006.
According to the Managing director Grimaldi Shipping line, Askani Russo, "it is disappointing that the rate is still the same as that of 2008 and that was before world recession.
He continued, "NSC should be concerned about the freight rate because the freight rate will add to the cost of importing goods into Nigeria and this will not make the country competitive."
He also expressed the hope that the observation of the shipping companies will be put into consideration because the consumers are the one that will bear the brunt of any review of the benchmark.
However, another participant at the meeting from  Mitchel Shipping Limited, Oladotun explained how a new  tariff introduced by NIMASA last year made a big Chinese line to withdraw its services from Nigeria.
His words, "we all know the effect of the withdrawal of the Shipping line from Nigeria on our economy, so shippers' council should set up another committee before the final implementation of the benchmark for the good of all."
Also, Mr Jamiu Ogunshola from Sharaf Shipping said that agency charges cause high rate of freight charges which discourages cargoes from coming into the country.
According to him, "if we want cargoes to come into Nigeria, we must look at the factors that lead to increase in charges, if we are to promote businesses, law that will affect importers, agencies and consumers must be put into consideration."