In a bid to tackle the challenge of faceless shippers and importers, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has announced an annual registration for terminal operators and other port service providers.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Emmanuel Jime, said disclosed this on Friday in Lagos, during the launch of the online portal for the registration of port service providers and users.
He also said that the port economic regulator had imposed a N30, 000 annual registration fee on corporate and individual shippers.
Jime also said that other service providers such as terminal operators and shipping lines would be paying N50,000 each annually.
He said that inland container deports/operators would pay N50,000, adding that non-vessel operating agencies were also required to register annually with N50,000.
According to him, cargo consolidators/de-consolidators, freight forwarders and clearing agents will pay N10,000, while off-dock bonded terminal and barge operators will pay N20,000 annually.
He said the council was upgrading from manual registration to a fully automated platform.
“The platform we are launching is interactive in nature as a physical interface is eliminated. From your office you can register your company online without visiting the council office as long as you fulfil the requirements and make the necessary payment,” the executive secretary of the Shippers Council said.
The port’s economic regulator boss explained that the registration exercise was in various categories.
He, however, added that the motive was not for revenue generation.
“It is mandatory for all service providers to register and obtain a certificate of registration before they can be adjudged as legally operating in the port.”
Jime warned that failure to register with the council would attract sanctions.
“It is, therefore, important to register with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to avoid applicable sanctions. Registration provides the economic regulator with a database of service providers that are genuine as well as shippers and all the stakeholders operating in our port system.
The Punch
