The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, yesterday disclosed that it has slashed port charges by 34 percent thereby redirecting Nigerian bound cargoes hitherto diverted to ports of neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the third annual Ministerial stakeholders meeting in Lagos, Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello said that the processing of further production is ongoing.
Although, the Council was silent on the details on the reduction of port charges he, however said that the container cleaning fee that was collected by shipping firms from importers has been cancelled.
Bello said that negotiation with terminal operators and shipping companies with regards to port charges is going on adding that with time more of the charges will be reduced.
He said: ‘We have reduced shipping charges now to 34 percent, there is still one critical issue which I will not tell you now because we are negotiating, but when we do that, we will let you know.
“The Shippers’ Council is the reference point for all charges, neither the government parastatals nor the private sector can raise any charge without consultation and negotiation with the Nigerian Shippers Council.
We are not adverse to increase in tariffs or review of tariffs but then it has to do in consultation with the regulator. We are the economic regulator.
“Hitherto, charges were arbitral, they were unilateral but then we said we cannot have that.
Source: Vanguard