TheUnionofAfricanShippers’Councils(UASC)hascalledforthe immediatesuspension ofPeakSeasonSurcharges(PSS)imposedby Shipping Lines serving the West African Trade Route.

This is in line with Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s position.Nigerian Shippers’ Council had in an August 16, 2020 letter addressed to the European Community Ship Owners Association (ECSA) and copied to the UASC, among others, complained about the outrageous increase in surcharges with particular reference to Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), levied on Nigeria bound cargo.

InalettersignedbytheSecretary-GeneralOgoulaGiscardLilian,the UASC strongly condemned the “unilateral and offensive action by ECSA carriers in blatant disrespect of previous agreement and expectations,” statingthattheactiondestabilisesthebusinessoperationsofits members “through the increasing of transport costs and weakening of the economies of UASC member-states especially during this outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic which has kept commercial activity at its lowest in terms of activity and prosperity.”

ThelettertoECSAfurtherstatedthat“theimplementationofthis unilateraldecisionon yourpart isinviolationofpreviousUASC/ECSA agreements requiring prior, mutual and reasonable notification of UASC andPMAWCAbyindividualshippingcompaniesbeforeanysuch imposition ofnewtariffs,surchargeor increase in transportcost.The letter referred ECSA to the Report of the UASC/ECSA meeting held on 16 July 2010; Joint Declaration between UASC and ECSA signed in Brussels on 12 April 2012.”UASC then called on ECSA to kindly take the following measures:

- Respect previous agreements and recommendations on this matter;

- Suspend the application of the Peak Season Surcharge until discussions on the new surcharges take place.

- Take necessary measures to improve on the general transparency and facilitation of trade relation with UASC’s members.