A Federal High court sitting in Lagos on Monday struck out a case instituted against the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) by the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN).
Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba rule in favour of the defendants due to non-compliance with the rules of the court by STOAN.
The terminal operators had last week Monday gone to court to stop the NSC from reversing the Progressive Storage Charge they had introduced unilaterally some years ago to the pre-May 2009 rates which was approved by the Transport Ministry.
“Since the court cannot proceed without knowing the right and interest of the parties which are inextricably tied to the question of determination, the court cannot proceed ” Buba submitted.
Lawyer to the NSC, Mrs Funke Agbor, had earlier prayed for a discontinuance since the issue for determination had not been explained by the plantiff.
NSC recently reversed the storage charge; whilst introducing measures that will reduce cost of doing business in Nigerian ports.
The Council also increased the Container Free Storage Period to seven days from three days.
It also increased Container Demurrage-free days to 10 days.
The maritime regulatory body equally directed that henceforth, container deposits must be refunded within 10 days after the empties had been returned to the shipping companies.
However, terminal operators and shipping companies had gone to Court to restrain the Council from implementing the order which was expected to take effect last week Monday.
Another case filed against the NSC by the Association of Shipping Line Agencies (ASLA) was adjourned to November 17 for further hearing.