……….We offered over 509 USD—–Shipping Company
………We demand over 2000 USD —Claimant
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has today intervened on a Complaint for compensation on ‘Damaged 182 bags out of 700 bags of APACO Moulding Plaster of Paris (P.O. P.) contained in a 1X40FT amounting to 2,089.08 USD against Arkas Shipping Line.
At a tripartite meeting conveyed by the Complaints Unit to amicably resolve the issue, the Chairman of the meeting, Mr. Daniel J. Orume (Deputy Director), asked the case handler, Mr. Kelvin Obewu to brief the meeting on the complaint. Obewu, stated that the Council received a complaint from ASPA P.O.P. Investment Ltd, which imported 30 containers from the Republic of Turkey on Bill of Lading Number: ARKU2365082/ARKMER0000181673, but lamented that one of the containers was Damaged at the “rooftop and was patched with adhesive cellophane, leaving a deep hole and as a result, water penetrated and damaged 182 bags out of 700 bags in the container.”
After the brief, Orume asked the Complainant if there was any point not captured. In addition, the Complainant stated that the damage was discovered while un-stuffing the container at their warehouse in Ibafo, Ogun State. According to them, on discovering the damage, they quickly informed the agent of Arkas Shipping Line (Hull Blyth). On receipt of the information, Arkas Representative in Nigeria sent 2 surveyors Messrs Stephen Ugwute representative of PMVL/Arkas, and Aderibigbe Ebenezer from CMA-CGM Shipping Line (Arkas Shipping Line Partner) for a joint survey.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the CEO of ASPA POP, Mr Angy Oba, thanked the NSC. He stated that “This is my first time of attending a tripartite meeting, but the Shippers’ Council was able to intervene and resolved two of our earlier complaints, and a refund was made immediately.”
However, the meeting was also informed that based on the Joint Survey Report, Arkas Shipping Line forwarded the requirements to be fulfilled by the claimant before their demand for payment of the landing cost of the damaged cargo could be considered.
The claimant forwarded all the required documents including the claims statement demanding a refund of 2,089.08 USD being the cost of the damaged 182 bags, including payments made to Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for disposal of damaged P.O.P. due to ITS “hazardous nature to the environment and cost of trucking.
However, Hull Blyth Nig. Ltd agreed to pay the claimant the sum of 509.06 USD being the actual cost of the POP based on the Sales Commercial Invoice only, as the clause on the Bill Lading does not Include payment of other sundry costs.
Orume, asked the representative of Arkas Shipping Line at the meeting, Mr. Joel Bagai for his response. Bagai who first and foremost appreciated the Council, stated that the Complainant is one of their most valued and critical customers in Nigeria.
Bagai, however, apologized to the claimant for the damage stating the obvious that “We are adhering to claims procedures which should be followed.”
The Chairman of the meeting however urged the Liner to Cement their relationship with customers, especially the claimant known for importing a high volume of containers every month, based on the documents provided at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the tripartite meeting resolved that Arkas should communicate to their Principal the need for an upward review of the claims and revert to the Council within 4 working days.
In conclusion, the parties at the meeting were happy with the resolutions reached.
