The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has requested all the shipping lines operating in the country to submit an updated list of their holding bays, including locations and capacity, emphasising the need to be involved in the examination of those holding bays to keep abreast of the potential operational challenges.
The NPA stated this during a crucial meeting with major shipping lines and the APM Terminals, Apapa, to discuss the challenges of the delay in the evacuation of empty containers leading to yard congestion and to chart a way forward.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, had in attendance major shipping lines including: Maersk Line, Hapag Lloyd, Pacific International Lines, PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, and APM Terminals (APMT).
The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday, noted that the shipping lines and the management of APMT have agreed to enhance the process of communicating available free pools to each shipping line in order to guide their container movement.
He stated that the shipping lines also blamed the significant congestion during the period under review on a simultaneous gate closure to all the shipping lines by the management of APMT.
He, however, said that the APMT management insisted that the terminal reached its full capacity due to increased import and export volume, arguing that there was a notable delay in the evacuation of both imports and exports by the shipping lines.
Speaking on the resolutions reached at the meeting, the NPA spokesman observed that it was resolved that the APMT should regularly communicate yard stock levels to the shipping lines to improve planning and coordination.
“It was also resolved that the notification period prior to terminal gate closure should be revised as follows: five days’ initial notice in advance; three (3) days’ reminder before closure; and one day’s final notice before closure.
“While it was further resolved that APMT was to engage off-dock terminals by moving import containers to off-dock terminals in order to create more space within the terminal, the Port Management should actively participate in the inspection and assessment of holding bays to better understand and manage capacity and operational challenges.
“While all parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities, it was agreed that better communication, timely notification, and strategic use of holding bays and bonded terminals were critical to alleviating pressure on terminal capacity,” he submitted.
The Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, emphasised the urgent need for enhanced coordination among terminal operators, shipping lines, and the port management to address the growing challenges related to terminal congestion, especially due to the accumulation of empty containers.
