Monrovia – The management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has negotiated 100% waiver on storage and demurrage of abandoned containers at the Freeport of Monrovia.
APM Terminals and Shipping Agencies officials announced their fullest support to President George Weah’s Pro–Poor government policy and consented to waive the storage and demurrage charges at the close of two separate meetings with the management of the National Port Authority.
NPA acting Managing Director Celia Cuffy-Brown described the move as a gesture from President Weah to consignees whose containers have overstayed at the Freeport of Monrovia beyond 90 days.
The waiver excludes handling charges as details regarding the full list of containers under this category will form part of the clearance date and procedures expected to be announced in the days ahead.
According to NPA acting Managing Director, the move is part of President Weah’s desire to bring relief to consignees who have incurred huge storage and demurrage debts on abandoned containers being considered under this waver order.
Mrs Brown intoned that the action will enhance port operational efficiencyand decongest container park at the port and improve quick turnaround time of container traffic.
The waiver of 100% charges on storage and demurrage on the overstayed containers comes on the hell of recent intervention by the NPA management that resulted in the cancellation of a planned strike action by Customs Brokers.
At the same time, discussions are underway with stakeholders and the port management regarding plans to arrive at measures to improve customer service and derive at solution to address other constrains in cargo clearance at the port.