OT Africa Line refuses to ship used electrical goods

BIRMINGHAM's OT Africa Line has announced that used electrical goods, now being seized as "toxic waste" by the Nigerian authorities, will no longer be shipped by the carrier, reports the Maritime Advocate, an admiralty law guide based in Red Bank, New Jersey.

The Advocate reported that the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) of Nigeria has increased levels of inspection and enforcement of the ban on the importation of used electrical items.

A number of carriers have recently had vessels impounded and fined for allegedly carrying "toxic waste", said the report.

Said OT Africa Line: "Due to the implementation of more stringent controls covering the importation of used electronics/electrical equipment into Nigeria, OT Africa Line regrets we can no longer accept any booking of used electrical or used electronic equipment to Nigeria. Any cargo already booked or load-ready, containing these commodities will not be loaded until further notice."

All OT Africa Line bookings for used, second hand, personal and/or household effects for Nigeria will only be accepted on the basis that the bills of lading will be stamped with the following clause: "The shipper hereby guarantees that all goods shipped under this bill of lading do not fall under the category of used electrical or used electronic goods or can be considered toxic or harmful/hazardous waste, do not contain any ozone depleting substance or any other prohibited goods detailed by the Nigerian Government."

Source: SchedNet