Importers groan as MSC terminates Port Harcourt shipping services

Importers in the eastern part of the country are currently lamenting over increased cost of clearing their cargoes following the termination of shipping services to Port Harcourt port by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

In a letter written to its customers, a copy sighted exclusively by the Nigerian Tribune, the MSC said that it is terminating shipping services to Port Harcourt with immediate effect over its inability to get Customs approval for barge services from Onne Port to Port Harcourt port.

According to the letter dated 22nd of October, 2024, “Since July 2024, the MSC Service to Port Harcourt, Nigeria was switched from a feeder vessel service from our trans-shipment hub at Lome Container Terminal, Togo, to a barge relay service via Onne Port. 

“The main reason for this was the higher frequency of calls at Onne Port which coupled with a regular weekly barge service would mean faster delivery times from our global network into Port Harcourt with less delays at the trans-shipment port.

“The service initially performed very well with several barge loads delivered successfully into Port Harcourt after initial discharge in Onne. However, since the last barge loaded from Onne on 7th of September 2024 until now, there have been no approvals by Customs for any further barge movements. All cargo thus discharged at Onne port since that date has remained blocked in Onne Port.

“Multiple meetings have been held in the intervening weeks by our vendors, the barge operator and terminal operators without resolution. In light of these delays and seemingly intractable resolution, we regret to announce that effective immediately MSC will cease to offer Port Harcourt as a discharge or loading port in our network. 

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“All cargo to the east of Nigeria with MSC should be booked to Onne Port, or alternatively one of the Lagos Ports (Tincan / Apapa). 

“MSC maintains our weekly service into Onne (OMT Terminal). We regret this force majeure situation which is beyond the control of MSC and our vendors.

“All cargo now at Onne awaiting transfer as well as cargo on the water for final destination Port Harcourt must be taken delivery of at Onne. 

“MSC Nigeria Ltd will assist with necessary documentation amendments accordingly.”

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the development, Elvis Amadi an importer based in Aba lamented that the cost of moving imported goods from Onne to Aba is high and that was why many welcomed MSC barge movement of cargoes to Port Harcourt.

“It is very disheartening to receive a letter from MSC that its Port Harcourt barge services has been terminated. Many of us patronized this service because it reduces the cost of moving the containers from Onne port where they are discharged to Port Harcourt.

“But now that the MSC has terminated the service, cargo owners now have to look for means of moving their goods from Onne to Port Harcourt. Some of us that are still going to Aba will have to spend more to move our cargoes down there.

“I wish the Customs will help us look into this and allow MSC to resume the barge services to Port Harcourt since it reduces cost of haulage from Onne,” Mr. Amadi told the Nigerian Tribune.