Freight forwarders operating at the nation’s maritime domain have said special consideration must be given to Port & Terminal Multipurpose Limited because it has not reviewed its charges for almost a decade.
The group, which included Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, National Association of Government-Approved Freight Forwarders, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, stated this in a communique.
It will be recalled that PTML increased its handling charges by 50 percent recently.
Reacting to this, the freight forwarding practitioners at the terminal expressed their support for the review.
While similar increment in charges usually elicit criticism and protest, PTML was able to convince stakeholders via several engagements and the fact that the company hadn’t reviewed its fares in the last decade.
The PTML is the biggest roll-on, roll-off terminal in Nigeria, handling a sizable chunk of vehicles imported into the country.
The freight forwarding groups agreed that the terminal operator should be supported to generate sufficient income to sustain the high quality service being rendered at the facility.
The communiqué reads in part: “That the initial plan of 100 per cent from Grimaldi was considered, but due to the effect it will have on the importers, it was agreed to have only 50 per cent increase.
“After a thorough explanation from the management of Grimaldi agency (owners of PTML Terminal) on the urgent need for this increase, 50 per cent was considered reasonable.”
It quoted the group as saying “That the acceptance of this increase is based on the ever increasing high cost of operations, as can be seen by every one in the industry.
“Grimaldi undertakes to increase its drive towards the provision of world-class logistics services to Nigeria, and to provide more equipment and human management urgently where it is required urgently.”
Grimaldi, however, assured stakeholders that once it gets the promised rebate from Nigeria Ports Authority, as promised during the COVID-19 peak period, more provisions of equipment will be made that will lead to reduction in operational cost.
The PTML management also thanked all stakeholders for the deliberations and understanding, encouraging various associations to ensure their members go about their business peacefully.
It also assured that no subsequent increment would be made without an interactive meeting.
