Our local correspondent has recently informed us that heavy rainfall is currently causing delays in port operations in Guinea and Cameroon. In particular, the ports of Conakry and Douala are experiencing congestion, where the unloading of particularly sensitive cargoes, such as rice, is regularly interrupted due to weather conditions.
In some cases, ships are sent back to the anchorage to make room for vessels with less weather-sensitive cargo. The delays can amount to up to two to three months.
The bauxite terminals in Kamsar have so far not been affected by these problems due to the specially designated berths.
The heavy rainfall also ensures that trucks have difficulty reaching the ports and that operations within the port are delayed. Due to these circumstances, the chance of long waiting times is high, which can lead to hire and demurrage disputes. In addition, there is an increased risk of cargo damage.
Since the rainy season in most West and Central African countries ends at the end of October, there is hope that conditions will improve in the coming month. We therefore advise members to keep an eye on the situation through the local agent and to properly record all relevant information and documentation regarding waiting times in case a hire or demurrage dispute arises.
For questions or assistance, you can contact the NNPC-claims team via claims@nnpc-marine.com.
