Shippers Council Releases New Benchmark For Haulage Operators, As Cargo Movement To Okota ,Ikeja Others Drop

The Nigerian Shippers Council has released new rates and benchmark for the carriage of cargoes out of the seaports to other parts of the state in line with the agreement reached with truck associations and unions on the 30% reduction .

According to a statement obtained by Dailyfocus Nigeria on Thursday,and signed by management of the council , appealed to shippers, freight forwarders, port users and the general public to take advantage of the reduced cost of transportation on cargoes, saying its an additional incentive to the operators in the evacuation of cargo from the seaports.

The location current rates applicable to the 30% reduction for 20ft and 40ft are as follows:

1 Ikeja/ Agege & Environs dropped from 400, 000 and 500, 000 to 280, 000 and 350, 000

2 Amuwo/Satellite Okota dropped from 350, 000 and 400, 000 to 245, 000 280, 000

3 Surulere/ Mushin Ijesha dropped from 300, 000 and 380, 000 to 210, 000 to 266, 000

4 Lagos Island dropped from 350, 000 and 400, 000 to 245, 000 280, 000

5 Badagry/Mowe/Lekki/Zone,Ikorodu
Local) Agbara/Shagamu/Free (West 450, 000 and 550, 000 now 315, 000 and 385, 000.

Up Country 30% reduction is applicable 30% reduction is applicable.

The council said effective date for the implementation of the bench mark rates is 22nd April, 2020 and will last for the period of COVID-19 adding that the rates are subject to a review after due consultation and meeting with the stakeholders.

The economic port regulator also said that
The hauler groups agreed to constitute a monitoring and compliance team to ensure that the benchmark rates are complied with.

The statement said “In furtherance of government’s effort to contain and control the spread of COVID-19 and the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that seaports should remain open during the period of the lockdown, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council met with the Haulage Associations and Unions on the 21 st April 2020.

“The aim of the meeting was to work out a modus operandi for cargo evacuation from the seaports that complies with COVID — 19 guidelines as well as support port operations and the economy.

“The Associations and Unions that participated in the meeting were as follows: National Association of Road Transport owners (NARTO), Association of Maritime Transport Owners (AMATO),Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Corporate Fleet Owners Association, Container Truck Owners Association, Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners and Council of Maritime Transport Union and association (COMTUA).

“The meeting recognized the important role of the haulage sector in the logistics value chain and the compelling need for haulers to come up with a unified action to support the economy in the current effort for the containment and control of the spread of COVID-19.

“The meeting further recognized the challenges faced by haulers relating to non-issuance of Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) by some terminals, extortion on the port access roads, ban on interstate movement and limited bank services. The Nigerian Shippers Council is already addressing these issues.

“The Associations and Unions agreed to reduce haulage cost by 30% across the board to serve as bench mark freight rates for the evacuation of cargoes from the seaports during the COVID — 19 pandemic.

 

By Roland Ekama