A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has stopped the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) from implementing an order reversing storage charges at the nation’s seaports. Ruling on an ex-parte motion brought before him by the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Justice Ibrahim Buba granted an injunction restraining the NSC and/or its agents from implementing the reversal order pending determination of the substantive suit. He adjourned the matter till Monday November 10, 2014, for further hearing.

It would be recalled that last week, NSC announced the reversal of storage charges at the ports which was in force as at May 1, 2009. NSC also ordered an increase in the free storage period at the port from three days to seven days.

The council equally directed shipping companies to reduce their shipping line agency charges from N26,500 to N23,850 per TEU and from N48,000 to N40,000 per Forty Equivalent Unit. It also directed shipping agencies to refund container deposits to importers and agents within 10 working days after the return of the empty containers.