Protest: Port terminals, shipping lines urged to grant importers demurrage waivers

The terminal operators in Nigerian ports and the shipping lines have been urged to grant waiver on demurrage incurred by importers during the period of nationwide protest.

An industry expert and Freight Forwarder, Dr Eugene Nweke, told journalists that the period of protest should be seen as “an act of God” which was not deliberately created by importers.

He argued that although freight forwarders were not on strike during the period, the situation poses so much risk that an importer cannot put his container on the road under such uncertain conditions.

He said during the period, there were skeletal services at the ports as freight service providers stayed away from the ports, abandoning their clients imports to incur storage and demurrage charges.

Nweke said, “Across the globe, national protests qualify as an act of God under marine insurance and shipping practices.

“Take note that, under same or similar practices, the resolve for ship diversion by the captain and crews are reasonably permissible during national strike/protests at the port of destination.

“Therefore, it must be categorically stated that, neither the shippers, nor their agents bargained (nor planned or participated in) for a national strike action or national protests.

“As such, regardless of whatever interests, both demurrage and storage charges should not be begged to be waived by the shipping line and terminal operators in this instance,” he said.