The Cargo Defence Fund (CDF), in collaboration with the Nigerian Insurers Association, Guild of Marine Surveyors and the Ports Consultative Council (PCC), yesterday organised a roundtable to discuss the issue of “cargo exposure to risks of damage, loss and delay at the nation’s ports and terminals”.
The holding of the forum at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, arose from a courtesy visit spearheaded by the CDF to the PCC, during which it was decided that there is an urgent need to address the issue of cargo mishandling and the difficulties cargo owners face in obtaining acceptable redress during cases of loss or damage to their cargoes.
In his speech at the roundtable, the CDF Chairman, Senator Capt. Cosmas Niagwan, said that the forum was necessary to bring key stakeholders in the maritime industry to discuss problems associated with delay, loss and damage to cargoes at the nation’s ports and terminals, with a view to proffering solutions.
“In addition to complaints received from individual shippers, lately we have received complaints received from the organized private sector and underwriters of marine cargo on the increased incidents of cargo loss and damage at Nigerian ports and terminals,” he said.
In attendance at the forum were terminal operators, ports government agencies, freight forwarders, maritime lawyers, and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), among other key stakeholders in the maritime industry.
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