Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have expressed their disagreement with the French shipping firm, CMA CGM’s new overweight cargo surcharge.
According to The Punch, the surcharge of $250 per TEU on dry containers weighing 18 tons or more from China, Southeast Asia, North East Asia, and the East Coast of India to Nigerian ports was implemented on April 28, 2023.
CMA CGM stated that the surcharge would apply to short-term contracts of three months or less.
A shipowner and the President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Aminu Umar criticized the surcharge, stating, “Why will they consider a TEU above 18 tons as an overweight cargo? TEUs are supposed to be like 24 tons which is the manufactured weight. That means they just clearly added that charge on us. So it is really bad. I think the Nigerian Shippers Council should intervene there, it is not fair.”
He further added that other places load more than 18 tons, and TEUs are supposed to be up to 24-25 tons, making him question why only Nigeria is being charged. He called for the Nigerian Shippers Council to intervene and disapprove of the charge if all shippers wrote to them.
A member of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Nnadi Ugochukwu, acknowledged that shipping companies usually charge for overweight consignments but questioned CMA CGM’s approach.
He said, “For instance, their standard weight might be 25 tons, and you now bring a consignment of 30 tons, they will charge you something higher above their standard weight.”
