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Allaying the Fears of Stakeholders on Cargo Tracking Note
TIN news: With increasing fraudulent practices involving ships and shippers in cargo declaration, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is optimistic that the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) when introduced will check decades of trade crimes in addition to facilitating trade at no cost to the national economy, writes Francis Ugwoke
In the next few months, the advanced cargo information system, otherwise known in the shipping industry as Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will be introduced in the country. This is the second time that CTN is being introduced in ports operation in Nigeria. It was first introduced in 2009, under the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). But the scheme was soon suspended following criticisms by stakeholders on the cost attached to it. This time, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), ports regulator and the management of the scheme, is promising that it is going to be better compared with what it was about six years ago. First, it is coming with no additional cost charged the shipper. But beyond the issue of cost, the regulator said the advanced cargo information system will perform many functions in trade facilitation, including checking trade crimes and security.
When it first came, it was one policy measure that Nigerians liked so much but for the cost which they felt should not be, since it was not so in other advanced countries using the system. NPA had billed shippers an administrative fee of USD$55.00 per CTN and compulsory charges of USD$205.00 for shipments from other continents. Tariffs per mode of shipment included FCL:USD$170.00/20’ teu; USD$255.00/40’teu; Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO): USD$5.00 per vehicle up to 5 ton unit weight; USD$170.00 per vehicle over 5 ton unit weight. Under the arrangement, conventional shipments attracted charges of USD$8.50 wm (minimum attracted: USD$85.00 PER CTN); consolidated cargo/LCL: USD$8.50WM (minimum USD$85.00 per CTN) and one CTN was issued per individual LCL parcel. But to the ports regulator, such charges were only in the past.
CTN as a global initiative
The fact that CTN is being reintroduced after its rejection in 2009 means that there is so much to it. First, it is a project that Nigeria must key into as a member of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and World Customs Organisation (WCO). The advantages of CTN are multifarious. It will check a lot of fraudulent practices involving importers and indeed shipping companies who are involved in under-declaration and outright concealment. It also offers useful information as to the movement of cargo once on board ship. The system exposes every cargo on board to the scrutiny of relevant agencies of government. It also facilitates fast clearance of such goods, as advanced information helps in preparing for clearance and examination procedures before the cargo arrives.
Benefits of CTN, by ports regulator
At a recent meeting with stakeholders, including shippers and freight forwarders, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, said that CTN will do a lot of things for the country. Bello who described CTN as very important in trade facilitation process added that it will fasten cargo clearance and check fraudulent practices involving import.
In the next few months, the advanced cargo information system, otherwise known in the shipping industry as Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will be introduced in the country. This is the second time that CTN is being introduced in ports operation in Nigeria. It was first introduced in 2009, under the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). But the scheme was soon suspended following criticisms by stakeholders on the cost attached to it. This time, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), ports regulator and the management of the scheme, is promising that it is going to be better compared with what it was about six years ago. First, it is coming with no additional cost charged the shipper. But beyond the issue of cost, the regulator said the advanced cargo information system will perform many functions in trade facilitation, including checking trade crimes and security.
When it first came, it was one policy measure that Nigerians liked so much but for the cost which they felt should not be, since it was not so in other advanced countries using the system. NPA had billed shippers an administrative fee of USD$55.00 per CTN and compulsory charges of USD$205.00 for shipments from other continents. Tariffs per mode of shipment included FCL:USD$170.00/20’ teu; USD$255.00/40’teu; Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO): USD$5.00 per vehicle up to 5 ton unit weight; USD$170.00 per vehicle over 5 ton unit weight. Under the arrangement, conventional shipments attracted charges of USD$8.50 wm (minimum attracted: USD$85.00 PER CTN); consolidated cargo/LCL: USD$8.50WM (minimum USD$85.00 per CTN) and one CTN was issued per individual LCL parcel. But to the ports regulator, such charges were only in the past.
CTN as a global initiative
The fact that CTN is being reintroduced after its rejection in 2009 means that there is so much to it. First, it is a project that Nigeria must key into as a member of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and World Customs Organisation (WCO). The advantages of CTN are multifarious. It will check a lot of fraudulent practices involving importers and indeed shipping companies who are involved in under-declaration and outright concealment. It also offers useful information as to the movement of cargo once on board ship. The system exposes every cargo on board to the scrutiny of relevant agencies of government. It also facilitates fast clearance of such goods, as advanced information helps in preparing for clearance and examination procedures before the cargo arrives.
Benefits of CTN, by ports regulator
At a recent meeting with stakeholders, including shippers and freight forwarders, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, said that CTN will do a lot of things for the country. Bello who described CTN as very important in trade facilitation process added that it will fasten cargo clearance and check fraudulent practices involving import.