From left: Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hon Emmanuel Jime exchanges ideas on crucial ports operational issues with the Managing Director of Maersk Line Nigeria, Lara Lana, during the visit in Lagos, Tuesday.

In a bid to drive efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of port processes, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC, has sought for cooperation and collaboration with multinational shipping companies operating in the country. The agency says it would be of mutual benefits to operators in particular and the Nigerian economy in general if all parties in the international trade supply chain collaborate with one another

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime stated this when he led other top management of the agency on a courtesy visit to Maersk Line and Meditaranean Shipping Company MSC in Lagos on Tuesday.

He urged the operators to ensure the continuity of the robust relationship they have been having with NSC.

The NSC boss wants the shipping companies to operate and conduct their operations within the regulatory framework of the Council, adding that they are expected to give NSC team unfettered access to monitor their operations to ensure compliance to set standards.

Issues raised by the CEO include to ensure that charges or fees collected by shipping companies are tied to services rendered in order to stem exploitative tendencies and arbitrariness.

Others include to ensure that all the shipping companies put in place a Customer Care Desk to handle timeously every issues and complaints on service delivery. “There should be frequent interaction with customers”, Jime insists.

The Council’s helmsman also called for full digitisation of operational processes for greater efficiency, effective management of return of empty container.

Other matters discussed revolve around issues such as shipping companies strictly adhering to government directives on evacuation of empty containers out of the country, shipping companies should ensure that consignees are not charged demurrage within the period of network down time, shipping companies must give adequate notification on the arrival of vessels and stemming of containers to shippers,  shipping companies should ensure prompt refund of container deposit within the agreed period of 10 days, to ensure 24-hour port operations and incorporate multimodal approach to cargo delivery.

In her response, the Managing Director, Maersk Line, Lara Lana expressed delight that NSC paid the visit. She lauded the Council for calling for the establishment of Customers Desk. NSC, she said, was the only agency that placed the interest of their customers at the forefront.

She noted that Maersk Line has created mobile applications for their customers to aid operations.

In a visit to Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Lynch, said the deplorable state of port access roads was one of the challenges facing the company’s operations.

He affirmed the readiness of the company to abide by NSC’s regulatory activities at the ports to ensure efficiency.