Kunle Kalejaye 17 December 2014, Sweetcrude, Lagos – A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, Wednesday upheld the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, as port economic regulator.
“It is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for this court to uphold the prayers of the plaintiff,” Justice Ibrahim Buba stated while dismissing the plaintiff’s case.Members of the association include Alraine Shipping Agencies, Cross Marine Services, CMA CGM Delmas, Comet Shipping Services, Grimaldi Agency and Gulf Agency. Others are Hull Blyth Nigeria Limited, Lagos and Niger Shipping Agencies, Maersk Nigeria Limited, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Mitsui OSK Lines, PIL Nigeria Limited and Sharaf Shipping Agency.
The suit number FHC/L/CS/1646/2014 was filed on behalf of ALSA and its members by Chidi Ilogu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Justice Ibrahim Buba, who granted the order, had earlier granted a similar order in favour of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, STOAN, restraining the NSC from implementing its proposed reversal of storage charges and increase of free storage days at the nation’s seaports from three to seven.
The council equally directed shipping companies to reduce their shipping line agency charges from N26,500 to N23,850 per TEU, and from N48,000 to N40,000 per FEU. It also directed shipping agencies to refund container deposits to importers and agents within 10 working days after the return of the empty containers.
