OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has introduced a N500,000 Ship-to-Ship Coordination Charge for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.
In a letter from the NNPC, with reference NNPC/ML/STS01, dated February 18, 2022, and addressed to all marketers, the national oil company explained that the charge would cover manpower, logistics, among others.
The letter, which was titled, “Payment of STS Coordination Charge,” and signed by O.I.O. Ajilo, for the NNPC’s Group General Manager, Shipping, read in part, “Please be informed that the NNPC management has directed that effective February 10, 2022, the sum of N500,000 will be charged for STS Coordination fees for each transshipment operation involving the NNPC Marine Logistics.
“This amount is to cover manpower and logistics required for coordination and production of cargo documents for the transshipment operation.
“A Remita payment request will be generated by our accounts section for each operation to effect necessary payment upon the vessel’s tendering Notice of Readiness. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and understanding.”
In another document titled, “Commencement of STS Coordination Charge,” which was from the General Manager, Marine Logistics, to marketers, with reference GGM/ML/04, and dated February 8, 2022, the national oil firm explained the functions of Marine Logistics.
It said its functions were to coordinate ship-to-ship transshipment activities for the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, NNPC Retail Limited and third-party marketers, as well as facilitate the processing of clearances for shuttle vessels and preparation of Bill of Lading on completion of STS.
Marine Logistics, PPMC and NNPC Retail Limited are subsidiaries of the national oil company.
The document, which was signed by Asuquo Inuikim, read in part, “Kindly recall that customers (PPMC, NNPC Retail and third-party marketers) who hire ML (Marine Logistics) vessels for STS and discharge operations are charged STS fees which is included in the vessel freight. However, third-party marketers who do not hire Marine Logistics vessels are serviced free.”
SweetcrudeReports had on Monday, reported a rise in ex-depot prices above the approved cost of N142-N145/litre to between N162 and N170/litre.
This has in-turn affected price of petrol at filling stations above official prices of N162-N165/litre at most private stations across the country.
Follow us on twitter
