By Godwin Oritse
The Nigerian office of the world’s shipping giant, Maersk Line, has contradicted the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, over establishment of adequate holding bay capacity to accommodate empty containers.

In a letter obtained by Vanguard Maritime Reports, and addressed to the General Manager Marine and Operation, NPA, Maersk Line said that it currently has holding bay capacity for over 8,000 containers adding that it stores its empty containers in five different holding capacities across Lagos.

Early July NPA had sanctioned Maerskline alleging non-compliance with its earlier directive to all shipping firms to provide holding bays for their empty containers.

In the letter, Maerskline gave the locations of its holding bay facilities including Unity Bonded terminal, Vicomar terminal, Fano Bonded terminal and HBX-PMS depot.

The letter dated 13th July 2018, Maerskline said that its monthly turn-over on empty containers currently hovers around 17,000 adding that its holding bays are well situated outside Apapa and its immediate environs.

Parts of the letter reads: “We refer to your letter HQ/GM/M&O/O/1734 on the above subject matter. We by this letter register our protest on the decision of your esteemed organisation to suspend services to us based on alleged non-compliance to the holding bay directive.

“To set the records straight and contrary to your assertion that we only operate two holding bays terminals, find below detailed overview of the terminal which we currently operate as holding bays.

“As corporate abiding citizens, we have always adhered to regulatory demands.

“As such, we find it surprising to receive a notice on suspension of our services.

“In view of the above points raised, we kindly request that you retract this notice and continue providing us with needed services”.

On the issue of compliance to holding bay requirements, Maerskline in its letter said that it had installed a call-up system for the transfer of containers adding that the shipping firm has continued to abide by the procedure of the call-up system initiated by the NPA.

Maerskline said in its letter: “Kindly recall protocol for the use of holding bays issued by NPA via letter HQ/ED/M&O/OP/090 dated 6th February, 2018 which stipulates process for call-up.

“We have continued to abide by this procedure”