Export: APM terminals introduces new port charges

LAGOS container port operator, APM Terminals has introduced new port charges on export cargoes called ‘Renomination Fee’.

Disclosing this in an email correspondence sent out to its customers over the weekend, leading French-based container liner, CMA-CGM explained that the Renomination Fee takes effect from March 20th, 2019.

According to the email correspondence which was sighted by Tribune Online, “This is to inform you that the Apapa terminal operator, APM Terminals (APMT) has advised that effective from 20th March 2019, renomination fee will be introduced for all short shipped full export containers.”

The email correspondence which was titled ‘Introduction of APM Terminals Renomination Fee’ further stated that “In line with their Standard Operating Procedure, APMT will bill the shipping lines for subsequent invoicing of the shippers.

“Please note that each renomination fee will be paid with the shipping line local charges.

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“For any clarification, do not hesitate to contact CMA-CGM Nigeria customer service at MailLGS.customerservice@cma-cgm.com.

“We thank you for your support. With regards, CMA CGM NIGERIA.”

In a related development, Nigerian exporters have cried out that inefficiency and congestion at the Lagos ports are hampering export of non-oil products from the Lagos ports.

This time around, they are raising the alarm that cashew nuts valued at $300 million (about N108billion) have been trapped at the Lagos ports and called on the Federal Government to come to their aid by addressing the challenges of congestion and inefficiency at the Lagos ports, which have affected exports.

The exporters said gridlock and inefficiency at the ports of Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos has delayed shipment of 50,000 tonnes of cashew nuts and is threatening this year’s output as traders are cash-strapped.

President of Nigeria Cashew Exporters Association, Tola Fasheru told Bloomberg.com that the fruits from last year’s harvest should have been exported by January; “Instead, they are still in containers on trucks waiting to enter the ports or on wharves.”

“Roads to Lagos ports are badly congested; with hundreds of lorries queuing to enter the premises and either deliver or pick goods. In addition, inadequate capacity and infrastructure, stifling red tape and corruption are hampering export processes,” Fasheru said.

“There is a palpable lack of synergy among the port operators and this is affecting the business of our members,” he said.

Some members of the cashew association, he added, have defaulted on contracts to the extent that foreign buyers are now walking away from them.

“They are no longer willing to give us fresh contracts,” said the group’s president. The delay is likely to affect the output target of 260,000 tonnes for the current season, which started in February and will end in July.

“Not one single cashew exporter is in the field now as he owes on contracts and as a result has no money to operate with,” said Fasheru.