CDF reassures shippers of support

The Cargo Defence Fund (CDF) on Monday reiterated commitment to protecting Nigerian shippers against international sharp practices.

The CDF’s Executive Secretary, Mr Danial Okwudili, gave the assurance in Lagos.

Okwudili said that some shippers were unaware that the fund had been making ‘underground’ moves to dismantle international trade encumbrances.

The executive secretary called on the Nigerian shippers to register with the fund in order to benefit from its legal and technical services aimed at safeguarding their businesses.

According to him, the fund is an offshoot of the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and offers payment for risk management services and foreign legal representation to aggrieved shippers.

“We convene alternative dispute resolution forum to disagreed parties to find soft-landing to international trade cases that would have lingered for ages, thereby disrupting business transactions,’’ Okwudili said.

He noted that the Cargo Protection and Indemnity Fund and the Cargo Litigation Fund were merged to form CDF.

The executive secretary called on shippers to embrace CDF for optimal services and avoid unwarranted international sharp practices in the maritime sector.