NPA directs shippers to setup empty containers’ storage
Following a stakeholder meeting in Lagos on Thursday, the Nigerian Ports Authority directed all shipping companies operating in the nation to establish designated holding bays for the storage of empty containers.The corporations are also responsible for managing the timely return of these empty containers to the ports.
This measure aims to reduce port congestion and improve the overall efficiency of cargo transfers.
In a notice to all stakeholders operating in the ports, the leadership of Truck Transit Parks Limited, an NPA partner in charge of managing truck movements in and out of the ports, announced that the new procedure for returning empty containers is part of a series of measures aimed at alleviating terminal congestion and improving port operation.
The NPA also said that it has directed all operators to immediately implement the Standard Operating Procedure for the return of empty containers in order to ensure compliance.
According to the statement, all shipping companies are now required to indicate a designated holding area for the return of empty containers on their Terminal Delivery Order, which truck drivers must follow.
The notice reads in part, "Following the outcome of the recent stakeholders' engagement aimed at addressing the increase in traffic along the port corridor and the challenges it poses, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has modified and directed the immediate enforcement of the established Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, guiding the return of empty containers to the port by operators."
""In light of the foregoing, the procedure for the return of empty containers to the ports will reflect the following activities as prerequisites, which include the fact that all shipping lines involved in container operations must have an empty container holding bay (the holding bay must be approved by NPA and indicated on the Eto platform) where their empty containers will be returned to by the truck driver after off-loading the contents.
"As a result, shipping companies must identify on the TDO the holding bays to which their empty containers will be returned.
"The movement of empty containers to ports will be solely managed and organised by the respective shipping lines in collaboration with the holding bays.
"The truck driver returning containers to ports shall comply with the time belt allocated for such purpose."
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