Freight Forwarders to Get Refund of Demurrage Charges

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has disclosed that freight forwarders charged demurrage fees by shippers will be refunded for payments made during the lockdown period from March 30 through May 3, 2020.

For five weeks, Lagos, alongside Abuja and Ogun state, was under a lockdown following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari. The restriction was only lifted effective May 4.

Business Post had reported last month that the Shippers’ Council met with the Shipping Association of Nigeria and reached an agreement to suspend demurrage charges collected during the lockdown.

However, despite the suspension, some affiliates of shipping lines in the country continued to issue debit notes to freight forwarders for demurrage charges.

In a statement signed by its Head, Public Relations of the NSC, Mrs Rakiya Zubairu, the council said, “It has come to the notice of the management of the council that some freight forwarders and shippers have difficulties with regard to the issue of refund of demurrage charges and are still billed despite the suspension.

“Such persons are encouraged to contact the council through the help lines and e-mail addresses published on the NSC website and other social media handles.”