It has come to the Club’s attention that a complete ban from further trading to Nigeria, has been placed on some 113 crude oil tankers, some 13 of which are entered with the Association. The Members concerned have been advised directly.
The ban was made known by a letter dated 15th July 2015 from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation addressed to “All Terminal Operators” and purports to have been issued as a result of a directive of Mr President Muhammadu Buhari. With immediate effect, the vessels listed are prohibited from engaging in any crude oil / gas loading activities at any of the terminals within Nigerian Territorial waters and are also barred from any movements within Nigerian Territorial waters.
The reason for the ban is not specified in the letter and the Club as well as the International Group Secretariat are looking into this further with the assistance of the local Nigerian P&I correspondents. It is understood Intertanko is trying also to find out what is going on. Whilst this is essentially an operational matter for Owners, the Club would like to remind Members that they need to be aware of and to adhere to these new local requirements.
Members are advised, additionally, that Charterers are now trying to have inserted in charterparties, specific clauses relating to the ban. Care should be taken not to accept overly onerous provisions.
Update – Please find INTERTANKO Nigeria Trade Clause below:
1. To the best of Owner’s knowledge, the vessel is not at the date of this charterparty subject to any ban by Nigerian Authorities from calling at and/or using any Nigerian ports, places or terminals, or sailing within Nigerian waters, whether arising out of any previous calls by the vessel or any other vessel owned or controlled by Owners or otherwise.
2. Charterers are responsible for and will arrange to submit to Nigerian Authorities any documents, information or other material required by Nigerian Authorities in relation to operations at Nigerian ports, places and terminals including offshore terminals under this charter
3. Charterers are responsible and will arrange for out-turn verification at the discharge port, including an independent cargo survey if necessary, such information to be copied to Owners. All expenses and any time lost in obtaining out-turn figures will be for Charterers account.
4. In the event of a breach of sub –clauses 2 & 3 above, Charterers will compensate Owners for all consequences thereof including but not limited to any action against Owners, and/or the vessel, time lost and any expenses incurred as a result of that breach in any subsequent voyage to Nigeria.
Updates will be provided in due course, as additional information is obtained.
Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.