NPA begins evacuation of unclaimed containers at Lagos, Tincan Island ports

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) declared it has begun the evacuation of overtime cargoes to help decongest the Lagos and Tincan Island ports.

Cargoes classified as overtime are subject to seizure by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) if the importer does not clear it after 90 days.

The NPA said the activity is done to rid the ports of congestion and pave the way for efficient port operation.

The general manager of corporate and strategic communications at the NPA, Josephine Moltok, gave an explanation on the need to evacuate overtime cargoes in a statement.

According to her, “The Lagos and Tincan Island Port Complexes and the terminals therein including Ikorodu Lighter Terminal have over the years been occupied with 3,200 units of overtime cars and about 3,295 units of overtime containers respectively.

“This awkward situation, apart from constraining terminal spaces required for seamless cargo handling operations in the ports, has contributed to deterioration of port infrastructure,” Moltok said.

She stated that the port infrastructure is designed as transit locations as opposed to holding dead weight tonnages for years, which these age-long overtime cargoes constitute.

“Following the inspection tour which held on June 23 and June 24 respectively, an all-stakeholder sensitisation involving shipping lines, and association of freight forwarders and clearing agents was convened on June 26.

“It was unanimously agreed that all cargoes and containers that have overstayed their required time at the ports should be auctioned “in-situ” (in their current locations) and removed immediately from the ports,” she said.

Mohammed Koko, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority said unclaimed containers occupy space at the port and they prevent other cargoes from being imported into the country.