Some of our clients are too busy with other things to bother with all the rigour of sourcing production inputs from overseas and then importing them in time to meet factory deadlines. Now, however, with the new Comet Shipping Agencies door-to-door service, they do not have to worry as sourcing for materials, opening Form Ms, application for customs documentation and approvals, payments for all duties, clearing and related logistics, shipping and delivery to factory is now undertaken by Comet's experienced staff on behalf of busy people. Two major manufacturer have taken this option and are being served now by Comet Shipping Agencies at reasonable costs.

This is a service mainly to construction companies or other contractors for the oil and gas sector or for the federal, state or local governments. Once the contractor has a contract and for any reason does not want to expend more expenses in Nigeria buying excess equipment which would lie idle after the contract, the choice may be to do a temporary importation of such plants and equipment. Comet Agencies can undertake this now as part of its new slew of services to the oil and gas, heavy engineering and civil construction industries. As with door-to-door importation, Comet Agencies begins and concludes all processes to convey identified goods from overseas base to any destination in Nigeria for the temporary use of our client in various engagements. The transaction can include the reverse process whereby after the contractor's completion of the jobs in question, the plants and equipment are returned overseas. This also involves compliance with export protocols and customs documentation well undertaken by Comet Shipping Agencies.

This service has been prepared mainly for operators or companies using engineering plants and equipment of highly intricate or delicate nature. Whenever such tools need routine service or refurbishment at overseas workshops or facilities, Comet Agencies can now undertake the process of their temporary re-exportation for such purposes. This saves the client the task of getting bogged down by the nitty-gritty of bureaucracy and officialdom… he can face his main venture while Comet engages with official protocols of form-filling and chasing files at Customs offices for various approvals and payments, etc. when all is set, Comet Agencies staff would crate the plant or equipment, transport same to the right airport or seaport and oversee its shipment and follow-up logistics right up to servicing point and then monitor its readiness for conveyance back to Nigeria. We take responsibility for all such transactions in the mould of door-to-door.

Comet Shipping Agencies Nigeria Ltd now undertakes specialized transportation of project cargoes or any huge consignment requiring special logistic handling to designated sites or destinations around Nigeria. This service which may suit various oilfield or maritime operations is now available on demand. All round logistics are promised and dedicated care, so that the client is free from worry about such operations. Insurance for such goods in transit can be arranged.

The serene environment of Nal-Comet Corporate headquarters at Apapa in Lagos everyday serves hundreds of shipping clerks, clearing and forwarding agents and sundry operators who freely move in our expansive offices and corridors to transact businesses ranging from release of consignments to documentations for customs, ports and maritime administration and/or for various reconciliation for the smooth operation of shipping.

Since the commencement of our lease of a terminal at Tin Can Island Port Lagos in 1984, Comet Shipping Agencies has recorded an average of 200 vessels handled yearly. Containers handled are in the tens of thousands as the Tin can Island Port where we are located is about the second busiest port in Nigeria aside from Apapa Quays. Before the inception of container terminal operation, the company began in earnest to perform all the requisite functions of a reputable ship agent for the facilitation of turn round times of vessels calling at Nigerian seaports wherever it received profitable instruction. Many new clients and principals have come under Comet's management since then.

With the addition of the container terminal to Comet's portfolio, activities transcended to full-scale agreements with major multinational shipping lines and container interests around the world and with Nigerian industrial giants. Some examples will suffice, such as:

• Clipper Shipping Lines Ltd, Houston;
• STA, Bremen (Steel-parcel services from Baltic and Black Sea, Far East, South Africa to Nigeria);
• Honeywell Flour Mills Ltd, Lagos, (monthly call of vessels to discharge bulk wheat);
• Marigulf Shipping Ltd, Haifa, Israel;
• Marimed Shipping SA, Johannesburg;
• Metall and Rohstoff Shipping RSA (PTY) Ltd, Johannesburg, (Steel cargoes from S. Africa to Nigeria);
• Union DICON Salt Plc., Lagos (Several calls of vessels to discharge bulk salt);
• Sun United Investment Ltd, Constantia/ South Africa;
• Lydia Mar Shipping Co. SA., Athens (Bolten Group);
• Elmira Shipping & Trading SA, Athens, (Permanent Protecting Agency Service)

As at the end of the 2004 operating year, COMET Agencies handled the following vessels whose business particulars reflect the varied experience and competence of our corps of men and resources deployed to the task of facilitating our clients' throughput in Nigerian seaports.

In total, COMET handled 184 foreign ship calls in 2004.

At Tin Can Island, Lagos Port Complex And Container Terminal Ports All In Apapa:

• 75 vessels of MSC (Agent since 2001);
• 32 vessels discharging frozen fish on full Liner out basis;
• 16 vessels discharging steel products on full liner out basis
• 16 vessels discharging wheat in bulk by vacuvators for two flour mills;
• 15 vessels of Clipper Americas Inc. Houston - Combo Liner Service from Brasil;
• 11 vessels protecting agency services only;
• 7 vessels discharging salt in bulk at midstream mooring into barges;
• 4 vessels discharging bagged cargo (rice/fertilizer) on full liner out basis;
• 1 vessel discharging fertilizer in bulk by grabs;
• 1 vessel discharging dredger midstream - submerger;
• 1 vessel discharging RO/RO cargo.

At Port Harcourt Old Port:

• 25 vessels discharging frozen fish on full liner out basis;
• 5 vessels discharging wheat in bulk by vacuvator for one flour mill;
• 4 vessels discharging salt in bulk by grabs;
• 2 vessels protecting agency services only;
• 1 vessel discharging steel products on full liner out basis;
• 1 vessel of MSC - Container loading only.

At Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne:

• 4 vessels discharging steel pipes on full liner out basis

At Warri And Koko Ports:

• 9 vessels discharging frozen fish on full liner out basis.