The Nigerian Shippers’ Council Complaints Unit recently intervened on demurrage waiver and removal of lien requests placed on an agency; DD Gold Multi Biz Ltd by Mediterranean Shipping Company, (MSC) over the latter’s 1X40FT container (MSCU4599953) that crushed a Toyota Camry Car on the Mile 2 bridge, Lagos
Addressing the tripartite meeting, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi said, ”On behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON, Esq, FCILT, Ph.D, we welcome parties to the tripartite meeting and in line with the Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) Principles, be rest assured of the Council unbiased intervention. In addition, parties are expected to adhere strictly with the NSC’s rules of engagement concerning mediation.”
Dr. Ambi added ”in comformity with the ongoing succession exercise in the Council, Mr. Hassan Aminu, Principal Operations Officer was requested to preside over the meeting.”
Hassan however requested the case handler Mr. Mubaraq Abubakar (OOII) to summarized the complaint.
The case handler, Abubakar responded, that Council received a complaint from DD Gold Multi Biz Ltd regarding the stopage of the refundable container deposit paid to the carrier Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the claimant alleged the carrier was approached for resolution but the case persisted.
DD Multi Biz explained that the container was involved in an accident on the 25th November, 2025 at Mile 2 bridge and still in Trinity Police custody, Apapa, Lagos becuase of this they are not able to get refund or do business with MSC. The agency added that they are not party to the shipment. The complainant also stated that ”another agent used my stamp and license to release the job.”
The MSC was represented at the meeting by Messrs Kehinde O. Iyowun (Claims Manager) and Olumide Adefisan (Manager, Customer Care) while the agency/complainant; DD GOLD Multi Biz Ltd was represented by Messrs Dike Stanley and Douglas Agho.
The Chairman asked the representatives of the carrier (MSC) to tell us what they know about this allegation. The MSC responded that they saw the pictures of the container when the accident happened, nobody contacted us, we only received a letter to attend this tripartite meeting. MSC don’t own containers. On the way forward we have 3 options for the complainant, (1) either pay the demurrage on the container, or (2) Pay the DV of the container because Police report does not stop demurrage” and (3) If NSC can indemnify the claimant on his indebtedness, we will unblock the agency.
The meeting Inquired from the claimant ”what would you like the Council to do for you.?
DD Gold responded that we want the NSC to intervene so that we get our refundable container deposit and we want the NSC to interface with the Police so that we can pick our container. The trucker wanted to pay the sum of N2 Million to the narrowly escaped driver of the crushed Toyota but the escaped driver is insisting on N19 Million as damages.
After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached, that:
- Nigerian Shippers’ Council affirmed that container MSCU4599953(1X40) was involved in an accident on 25th November, 2024 on Mile 2 bridge.
- Nigerian Shippers’ Council urged the claimant to request for DV of the container involved in the accident to avoid further rising cost of the detention demurrage.
- The Nigerian Shippers’ Council advise the claimant to address item number 2 with immediate effect in order to continue operating their license with MSC.
- MSC is advised to wear a human face in tackling the letter from the claimant on accrued detention on the accidented unit and DV.
- NSC however, frowns at the indiscriminate stamping of cargo release documents by licensed agencies.
- Both parties are advised to continue their business relationship.
