TWO-WEEK PORT DELAYS IN NIGERIA TRIGGER SURCHARGES
Facing congestion delays of about two weeks at Nigerian ports, shipping lines have announced substantial port surcharges for shippers in the Europe/West Africa trade.
The Europe West Africa Trade Agreement, a liner conference, said that it will widen the scope of the southbound congestion surcharge at Nigerian ports, introduced as a result of a Customs inspection program on import containers.
“Although initially affecting the port of Lagos, the situation has deteriorated further and is now also creating lengthy delays at the ports of Onne and Port Harcourt,” the conference said.
A surcharge of 200 euro ($194) per 20-foot container and 400 euro ($388) per 40-foot box will be introduced by the Europe West Africa Trade Agreement carriers for shipments to the ports of Onne and Port Harcourt.
The conference’s congestion surcharge for Lagos will remain 325 euro ($315) per 20-foot container and 650 euro ($630) per 40-footer.
The carriers of the Europe West Africa Trade Agreement are Maersk Sealand P&O Nedlloyd, Safmarine, Nile Dutch Africa Line and WAL-West-Afrika Linien.