Under normal circumstances, the goods stay at the port for about 30 days or a few weeks, and then are shipped to the final destination by the importer.
But in the Port of Lagos, which is the largest port in Nigeria and is also the largest port in West Africa , the goods are arranged to leave the port and be delivered to the customer within 30 days at the port. This is an impossible task. Now There are cases where goods are delayed at the port for months or even years!
A large number of goods are stranded at the port.
Currently, there are more than 10,000 containers of cargo at the Lagos yard and Apapa port. This development has not only caused congestion but also forced one shipping company to impose a ban on all cargo bound for Nigeria. Controversial congestion surcharge imposed on goods.
If the goods stay at the port for 28-30 days without customs clearance and delivery, they are classified as overdue goods. Many cargoes at Lagos ports have been stuck for anywhere from 30 days to 7 years and counting!
Faced with this situation, French shipping company CMA CGM recently issued a notice that it planned to impose a US$400 surcharge on cargo in Lagos, a move that was caused by the disruption of its transportation due to port congestion. The fine will take effect on October 15, 2018, and will result in additional costs for importers and higher costs for manufacturers.
China to Lagos Port Route
Before the situation turned bad, importers, clearing agents and other stakeholders had been calling for a return to normalcy in port operations, but without any visible changes. Unfortunately, increasing congestion, increased cargo traffic, and poor access to the port have led to this situation.
National Council of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) Chairman Lucky Amiwero expressed dissatisfaction with the situation of cargo being kept at ports for longer than the usual 30 days and even for up to several years. He stressed that one of the most effective ways to curb this menace is to transport overdue goods to government warehouses in compliance with the Customs Management Act (CEMA).
He said: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) teams at the affected ports are to prepare a list of overdue goods and send it to the headquarters for approval. Once approved, the goods should be transferred to Ikorodu, which is where the government warehouse is located. Transportation of these goods The port will be freed up and space made for new cargo."
"After the cargo is transferred to the government warehouse, NCS can collect rent, which will be paid by the agent and importer. NCS can then advertise in the media to the owner of the cargo. Issue an ultimatum to clear the cargo. If they fail to do so, NCS can put the cargo up for auction as a way to decongest the port and make it operate efficiently.
Meanwhile Amiwero called on the government to take measures. , to move all uncleaned and confiscated cargo from various terminals to appropriate locations as provided for in the CEMA C45 Law of 2004 to decontaminate the ports,
quoted the bill as saying: “Under the law, the Nigeria Customs is empowered to carry out operations under Section 31. -After the maximum number of days specified in clause (1-9), the outstanding and confiscated goods shall be removed and such outstanding goods shall be transferred from the terminal/warehouse to the Federal Government Warehouse at Ikorodu. ”
In September last year, due to reduced import and export activities and the short distance from the port, the NCS downgraded Ikorodu to a light terminal and is now a federal government warehouse where confiscated goods are stored until they are processed
In addition to the current outrageous delays and port congestion, in order to alleviate delays, this important port in West Africa has also adopted a "fight fire with fire" strategy before, announcing sanctions on four container ship companies and requiring these shipping companies to stop shipping within 10 days. Called at the port of Nigeria!
Faced with the incredible port congestion and delays in this large port in West Africa, foreign trade and freight forwarding companies that have plans to export to the Port of Lagos in the near future must be mentally prepared!
The largest port in West Africa: the Port of Lagos!
Lagos (LAGOS) is located at the mouth of the Ogun (OGUN) River on the southern coast of Nigeria, adjacent to the north side of the Benin (BENIN) Bay.
▲Nigeria's largest port
is now Nigeria's economy and culture. and transportation centers.Transportation is developed, with railways leading to NGURU in the northwest and directly to PORT HARCOURT via Kaduna.
