Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Friday, June 27, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

How to prevent cargo fines in West Africa

by The Editorial Team
July 30, 2018
in Fines
cargo claims

Above image is used for illustration purposes only / Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Custom fines for difference between quantities reported and the final stevedores’ figure have been a potential issue for bulk vessels trading in West African countries, especially in countries such as Benin, Togo and the Ivory Coast which have a high demand for imported bagged commodities like sugar or rice.

Skuld P&I Club, provides information on fines that can be imposed on vessels calling at Lomé, Cotonou or Abidjan and best practices to avoid delays upon completion of discharge.

[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]

Bulk vessels discharging bagged cargo in Lomé, Cotonou or Abidjan will often receive a message from their agent stating that when a vessel is calling one of these ports the agent has to provide a copy of the cargo manifest within 24 hours after the vessel’s arrival and that, in case of difference between the quantity reported and the final stevedore tally’s figure, a custom fine will be imposed.

RelatedNews

Britannia Club: Reminder on disruption charges in Panama Canal

Skuld: Precautions for fish farms in Lanshan, China

As the vessel’s agent is responsible for the payment of the fine on behalf of the vessel it is common, before completion of discharge, to receive a request for the issuance of a letter of undertaking (LOU) to cover the amount of the potential fine. The LOU request will be based on the estimation of the potential fine plus a usual uplift.

For example, in Togo, the fine is calculated based on the local market value estimated by local customs plus the difference accounting for the duties that should have been paid plus a fine.

The Togolese customs state that a fine amounting two to three times the amount of duties and taxes evaded will be imposed in case of discrepancy between the quantity manifested and discharged.

A similar article in the Benin custom code states that within 24 hours of the vessel’s arrival, a summary declaration of the cargo manifest shall be presented to customs by the vessel’s Master or his agent.

In Ivory Coast, the Master is liable for any error in cargo manifest declaration and Art. 285 states that a fine will be imposed in case of discrepancy between the quantity manifested and discharged.

Skuld Club noted that the situation has improved in Togo and Benin since 2014, however it would be good  safe to apply the following:

  • Ask the vessel agent to confirm in writing in advance all latest customs requirements before calling West African ports to discharge bagged cargo.
  • Appoint a protecting agent to double-check the stevedore’s tally.
  • Ensure that the Master contacts the vessel’s P&I or the local correspondent immediately when there is a risk of fine.
  • liaise with local correspondent to get updates from the vessel’s agent and the customs authority as to when the final amount has been negotiated, and to request a receipt a release after the fine has been settled.
  • In addition, Owners and Charterers can negotiate the issuance of LOUs for customs fines related to manifest discrepancies in back-to-back charterparties.

Finally, the vessel agent will first request a LOU from the vessel’s Owners P&I club, and will usually also agree for the LOU to be issued by a well-established local correspondent instead. The agent can alternatively agree to get a LOU from the Owner or the Charterers.

How to prevent cargo fines in West AfricaHow to prevent cargo fines in West Africa
How to prevent cargo fines in West AfricaHow to prevent cargo fines in West Africa
Tags: finesIvory CoastSkuld Club
Previous Post

Anxiety vs Performance: How to maintain a balance

Next Post

Oil leaked from grounded vessel off Sweden

Related News

Turkiye
Fuels

Updates on pollution fines in Turkiye due to new Mediterranean SECA

May 12, 2025
propeller
Security

Skuld: Key trends and policies regarding stowaways

April 11, 2025
health
Maritime Health

Skuld Club: Top medical conditions causing unfitness

April 4, 2025
fines AMSA
Fines

Australia fines bulker owner for failing to comply with AMSA orders

March 18, 2025
helpline
Diversity in shipping

New helpline aims to assist female seafarers

March 6, 2025
Solomon islands
Loss Prevention

Skuld Club: Loading nickel ore in the Solomon Islands carries significant risks

February 27, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA