The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Sunday said it would collaborate with CMA CGM Delmas Nigeria Limited, and other shipping companies to ensure a seamless service delivery at the nation’s sea ports.

This is contained in a statement issued by an Assistant Director, Complaints’ Unit of the NSC, Mr. Moses Fadipe, after a visit by officials of the council to the shipping company.

“NSC, being the port economic regulator, is committed to promoting best practices and encouraging efficiency and effectiveness in ports operations.

“Among the objectives of the complaints’ unit of the council are: clarity of purpose, accessibility, flexibility, openness and transparency, proportionality, efficiency and quality outcomes.

“Complainants seek redress, compensation over poor service delivery, service impediment or impunity in the ports industry or in the course of international transport transaction.”

According to the statement, the era of government agencies waiting to receive complaints in the comfort of their offices is gone for good.

It said the unit had decided to meet with the service providers in knowing the areas of impediments in the course of their operations within the ports’ system.

Fadipe in the statement said all complaints would be favourably addressed as quickly as possible.

“Recently, the complaints’ unit paid advocacy visit to Grimaldi Agencies Nigeria Limited, and our team was received by the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Nitin Senan, who promised a good working relation with our unit.

“Senan complained about some problems faced in the area of vessel pilotage.”

It noted that NSC officials also visited COMET Shipping, where its Operations Manager, Mr. Andrew Grayson, commended the NSC complaints’ unit.

“Grayson was hopeful of a good working relationship with the NSC in the area of sanitising the entire process of cargo handling and delivery process to reduce complaints to the barest minimum.”

The NSC said COMET would introduce Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) to fast -track cargo clearance at the ports.

According to the statement, SOP procedures will be outlined and stakeholders will now be sure of clearing their goods on time.

In the statement, the Managing Director of CMA CGM Delmas Nigria Limitd, Mr Todd Rives, said cost control was a challenge.

“One cannot predict the amount you will spend while processing the shipping documents.

“The traffic congestion also is another challenge we are facing because you cannot be efficient when you do not work with time.

“Getting our containers out is very complicated because of the costs and congestion.” (NAN)

•Photo shows sea vessel.