Agents shut down shipping firm over arbitrary charges

Customs agents operating at the Port Terminal Multi-purpose  Services Limited (PTML) at the Tin Can Island port have  shut down Grimaldi Shipping Company for imposing chargesreceived from the company (agents) during the last May day celebration.
Vanguard gathered that trouble started when some agents observed the high bill of both terminal and shipping handling charges received  from the company  noting that the public holiday declared by government to celebrate workers’ day  was also computed as a working day and charges imposed.
It was also gathered that for about three days last week, the computer server of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was down and that for that reason, no single container was released.
Despite the trouble the Customs had with its server, the shipping company still computed charges for affected days, a development that pitched the agents against the shipping firms .
Speaking to Vanguard on the development, Mr Chuks Udensi blamed  the shipping firm for the problem, adding that the firm complained  that their server was down for almost five days  and expected agents or importers to bore the cost of their inefficiency.
He said “ We do not see the reason why they complain that their server was down for five days  and  expect the agents to pay for the wasted days, that is the problem agents are currently having with the   firm.
“However the leadership of the various groups are currently having discussions with the management of Grimaldi to  reverse their decision with regards to the charges”.
Udensi stated that neither importers nor agents will be made to pay for the wasted days, adding that until the issue is resolved, no cargo will leave the port.
“Even on Sundays that is supposed to be  weekend, charges were computed against Sundays, even May day that was a holiday, they charged, the truth is that when they have their personal problem, they want to pass it  to the agents.
Speaking in similar vein, another agent Mr  Alex Efunode, who supported the reaction of the agents over the arbitrary charges, said that the charges on public holidays by Grimaldi has put more burden on both agents and importers.
He explained that Grimaldi charges demurrage on public holidays adding that  this trend has to stop  if agents are to assist in facilitating trade at the ports.
“You cannot imagine  that vehicle that is yet to get to its destination, demurrage is being charged on such vehicle.
The placards we are carrying is in line with the current development and we will continue in this line until something is done to reverse the situation.
Source: Vanguard