Cargo dwell time (CDT) in the nation’s seaports has dropped from 10 days to three, the Chairman, Seaport Terminals Operators of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess (Dr.) Victoria Haastrup, has said.
The STOAN Chairman, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium Limited, in a statement, maintained that the concession of cargo handling operations at the nation’s seaports have brought tremendous benefits to the Nigerian economy and saved the port system from collapse.
She said, “In fact, when Nigerian ports were concessioned, it was a big blow to the ports of neighbouring countires, a big loss. I have always referred to it. Nigeria has improved tremendously from what it used to be. Dwell time of ship has reduced drastically. That shows the efficient nature of the port. I have always said that time is also of essence in this business.
“When you bring in your ship, we can discharge your vessel very quickly. Dwell time for vessel has reduced from ten days to three days. That in essence is a reduction in cost. To us, that is efficiency and that is reduction in cost”.
She decried a situation where people singled out terminal operators for undue criticisms.
“Everyone is talking about rent imposed on containers and other types of cargo, I could give you a table that shows that the cost in Nigeria is very cheap in terms of cargo rent in the port.
“There are a lot of things that also contribute to increase in cost. You are looking at the terminal operators alone. You need to look at other aspects of port operation.”
She said STOAN is in court to challenge the powers of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to serve as regulator.
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