We have been advised that five shiploads of sugar alleged to be sub-standard and valued in excess of US$20 million were impounded last week in Lagos, Nigeria, on the recommendation of the Standards Organization of Nigeria. All the affected cargo had been shipped from Brazil into Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. This action was taken following information that the five shipments did not meet Nigeria's specifications for sugar imports.

According to the Standards Organisation, only two specifications of sugar are allowed to be imported into Nigeria. These are:

1. NIS 90:2000 Refined Sugar white maximum 45 ICUMSA

2. NIS 383:2000 Plantation white sugar maximum 60 ICUMSA

The measures which have been imposed are aimed at receivers, not shipowners, and have not been issued in writing.

The Standards Organization of Nigeria is separate from the Customs Authority and reports direct to the Food and Drugs Administration (NASDAC). The Standards Organisation alone do not have authority to impound cargo but can make recommendations to NASDAC who do have such authority. The Customs Authorities have also been involved in this issue as the result of alleged problems over the payment of Customs Duty on some of the consignments.

Although discharge was stopped on all five ships from 15th to 19th November, one of the ships involved (TAI KING), has now completed discharge and sailed and normal discharge operations have recommenced on the other ships.

We advise all Members with ships laden with sugar consignments for Nigeria to clarify with the charterer and shippers the specifications of the sugar loaded on board and to request a copy of the manufacturers’ quality test results in order to compare them with the Standards Organisation specifications stated above.

If Members intend to fix their ships to load sugar consignments to Nigeria, they should ensure that shippers load only consignments that will pass the current specification tests.

Source of Information: Africa Marine Services (Europe) Ltd
telephone: +44 20 7749 77222
email: Africamarine@aol.com


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