To encourage de-congestion of the ports caused by containers undergoing physical examination, APM Terminals Apapa has said that all containers classified as Fast Track (blue channel) would no longer attract the general customs inspection charge, but a minimal administrative and operational charge.

The chief commercial officer for APM Terminals, Koen De Backker, who said this added that the firm was also considering reduction of charges for containers undergoing scanning.

He said: “We hope to encourage more importers to effectively use the fast- track scheme for their cargo. The level of physical inspections carried out at the terminal is very high and slows the process of delivery and creates congestion at the port. If more importers are able to use Fast-Track Clearance, this will assist in reducing inspections needed on site.

‘’The success of the new scanning logistics introduced by APM Terminals has now allowed us to properly evaluate the costs involved in providing terminal trucks for this system. As a result, the new charge is almost 50 per cent less than what was charged before,” Backker added.