By Alex Akao
Harboursandport.com: Lagos: January 21, 2025: Federal Government has indicated its readiness to commence the implementation of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) across the nation's Seaports.
Already, the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) which is statutorily empowered to regulate the industry has been directed to immediately commence the deployment of electronic cargo tracking notes to the relevant seaports.
Describing the development as "a significant step forward", Head of Research of the Seaports Research and Empowerment Centre, (SEREC), Eugene Nweke, said the intention is to reduce delays in cargo shipment and cut costs for importers.
According to him, the process which aims at making business transactions at the ports more efficient and transparent will ultimately be beneficial to all operators involved in the import and export business.
“Additionally, the reintroduction of electronic cargo tracking notes is also a way to curb insecurity and improve trade facilitation.
"By providing an accurate and reliable system in place, ports can better track and manage cargo, reducing the risk of theft, loss, or damage.
"This, in turn, can help to increase trust and confidence in the trade process, making it more attractive to businesses and investors", he said.
Nweke further assured customs agents and importers that the Cargo Tracking Notes operations will be discharged in a manner that would not add to the cost of doing business at the nation’s seaports.
He said the implementation of CTN in the country's Seaports operations is a crucial consideration, whose goal is to facilitate trade and not to create more barriers or expenses to the shippers.
He stated that Electronic CTNs are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide a more efficient and secure way to track and manage cargo.
According to him, “Unfortunately, the implementation of this approved modest industry trade security and facilitation tools seem to be delayed for reasons not communicated to the industry stakeholders".
To this end, he called on the Federal Government through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to support the Nigeria Shippers Council, which is the industry economic regulator to flag off the commencement of the Cargo Tracking Note implementation without further delays.
Nweke however, emphasized that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has the onerous task to introduce and manage the system in a manner that would not add to the cost of doing business at the ports.
He said the cargo tracking note is a relevant document in the international trade and port security system, even with the introduction of modern trade facilitation tools.
According to him, the scheme provides a standardized way of tracking and managing cargo, ensuring that it is properly declared, cleared, and released.
"In shipping operations, the CTN remains a critical component of shipping operations and industry, providing a standardized way to track and manage cargo, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and mitigate risks associated with cargo transportation
"Besides, the CTN provides shippers with a unique identifier for their cargo, allowing them to track their shipments and ensure that they are properly declared and cleared through customs.
"This helps to reduce the risk of delays, fines, and penalties associated with non-compliance", he added.
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