The Cargo Defence Fund which is a project of Nigerian Shippers' Council was set up because of the need to tackle problems associated with abandonment of legitimate Cargo Claims successfully. The Cargo Defence Fund therefore seeks to assist the often frustrated and confused Nigerian Shippers in their pursuit of legal remedies and claims recoveries.

The Council embarked on a series of studies handled by expert consultants to assess the problems face by shippers, find out why legitimate claims are abandoned, determine how to implement the Fund and also ascertain the level of assistance to be given to shippers. This, the Council was convinced would help base findings on statistical data and also identify vulnerable areas where Nigerian Shippers have suffered greatest loss.

The Council has been charged to consider problems faced by Shippers and advise government on possible solutions, promote and encourage the study and research into these problems and also carry out such other activities.

Implementation of the Fund
The Council registered a company limited by guarantee known as The Cargo Defence Fund. This gives the fund the legal entity to operate independently of the Council. The Fund is administered and managed by a Board of Trustees representing various shippers interests and the Fund is completely isolated from the Management of Nigerian Shippers' Council. The Council has made n initial financial contribution to the Fund, which is described as "Seed Money." The anticipation of the Trustees is that shippers would be encouraged to contribute to the Fund.

Structure and Administration of the Fund
The various Shippers' interests represented at the level of the Board of Trustees are the Insurance Industry, Maritime Law Practice, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, NACCIMA, and four seasoned shippers from the four geo-economic zones of the country, the Executive Secretary/CEO and two other representatives from Nigerian Shippers' Council. Shippers are encouraged to contribute on the basis of their associations, or otherwise as may be worked out because the identified beneficiaries to the Fund are shippers' registered with the Council, directly or indirectly through the Shippers' Associations. The Fund maintains a list of the existing Shippers' Associations spread all over Nigeria.

Services Provided Include:

• Legal / Technical Advice
• Loan to pursue Claims / Litigation / Arbitration
• Payment of Risk Management Services
• Foreign Legal Representation
• Cover for Specific Risks as Agreed
• Quality Information Services
• General Risk Management Advice
• To Convene Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum
  
  
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