A.P. Moller, registered in Nigeria as APMT Apapa Limited, has not known peace since 2006 when it began operating the largest container terminal in West African in Apapa port, Lagos.
The reasons range from alleged bad equipment, arbitrary and unregulated storage, terminal, container and demurrage charges, casualisation of workers, to deliberate delays in stemming containers down for examination in order to earn more demurrage.
The company also allegedly refuses to transfer containers to bonded terminals, refuses to upgrade the terminal acquired for a period of 25 years under a concession agreement, and uses substandard equipment.
One of APMT’s gantry cranes collapsed in 2009, killing dockworkers.
The company enjoys a monopoly of sort in Nigeria; its businesses allegedly remains unchallenged by the authorities, except for the unceasing voice of shippers who decry the concessionaire’s excesses.
APMT’s solid ground is allegedly made possible by some untouchable Nigerian personalities.
Police disperse protesters
Recently, shippers were harassed and assaulted by mobile police whom the company hired to disperse them with tear gas.
The crowd of shippers and clearing agents had gathered at APMT office at Panasonic Mall, Apapa, Lagos to protest delays in stemming their containers for examination.
Uche Block, Deputy National President of the Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, said “agents and importers are being frustrated because they cannot do anything. Where will they run to? Who will they complain to?
“We gathered at their office by 6am and by 9.30am they had completed booking the 100 containers for that day.
“On July 23, over 300 agents gathered for booking. After the 100 containers for the day were completed, APMT invited police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse clearing agents whose importers’ containers were entering overtime in the terminal. Can APMT do such a thing in their own country?”
Implications on the economy
Block alleged that clearing a container out of APMT terminal takes between three and four weeks due to obstacles imposed by the private terminal operator (PTO) to make profit.
This delay has dire implications for the economy, including defeat of the 48- hour clearing initiative to decongest ports, rising demurrage and terminal charges, and high cost of imported goods.
Because of such delays, importers now import very low quality products from Asia in order to get some returns on investment.
Media consultant flown to the Netherlands
A reliable source close to AMPT disclosed that the company has hired a media consultant, simply identified as Juliet, and flown her to the Netherlands.
Juliet is said to have been charged with the responsibility of deciding APMT’s fate with the Nigerian media. A source who had a discussion with her in Lagos said he learnt from her that AMPT is worried about negative media reports which affect its interests in Nigeria.
Juliet reportedly said AMPT’s media managers in Nigeria have failed in their assignment, hence the need for the company to explore the best means to rebrand and get positive image.
She has reportedly asked for memoranda from the company’s associates to help improve its image.
When Juliet was asked what plans AMPT has to improve services to Nigerian shippers, especially in terms of storage and terminal charges which increase every quarter, she said her brief is to improve media profile.