LONDON: The planned introduction of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) which will expose decades of trade malpractices at the ports and bring other economic benefits appears to have created apprehension among some shipping lines and big time shippers who are now at daggers-drawn against the scheme, writes Francis Ugwoke
The advanced cargo information system, otherwise known as the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) has in recent time become a subject of industry discourse. It is one issue that has attracted the attention of major players in the ports industry, including multinational shipping agencies, shippers, manufacturers association and trade groups. CTN is being introduced by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) as the Ports Economic Regulator. For the Council, it is a bold attempt to end decades of trade malpractices in which the federal government loses billions of Naira revenue annually.
Some multinational shipping lines have been accused of involvement in under-declaration of gross registered tonnage (GRT) of vessels since the amount they pay as charges is tied to it. Others are some shippers (importers) who are also being accused of under-declaration and outright concealment of real quantities of their imports since the amount they pay as duties to government is equally tied to true value of imports. But beyond the economic benefits is also the security benefit as it will expose dangerous imports in advance.
CTN has the backing of the International Maritime Organization under International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) Code as a follow-up to the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States of America. CTN has the backing of the Maritime Organisations of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and has been introduced in many West and Central African countries. It was introduced in Nigeria in 2009 but later suspended because of some high charges imposed on shippers. This time, these charges have been removed in line with what obtains in other countries that introduced the scheme. But despite this, some multinational agencies and some manufacturers are kicking against it.
