The Nigerian Shippers Council is in talks with shipping companies and terminal operators on how to grant demurrage and storage charge waivers on goods that arrived Nigerian during the two weeks #EndSARS protest.
The demand by Shippers Council may not be unconnected to a letter written by members of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to terminal operators.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Hassan Bello, said several talks are currently ongoing between the managements of the council and those of the various shipping lines to consider waivers.
Bello said: “Several discussions are taking place between the management of the council and shipping companies in Nigeria to find ways to accelerate the clearing of cargoes from the terminals and collection of the same by shippers who were unable to access the ports.
“Both sides are also planning the removal of demurrage charges on cargoes as one of the ways to alleviate the hardships on shippers. We will also visit some terminals to firm up discussions on the waiver and other issues.
“Just as we did during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Nigerian Shippers Council is working with shipping companies to find ways to ease the hardship occasioned by the disruptions and delays caused by weeks of youth protests”, the CEO said.
