By Aisha Cole
Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has directed shipping companies, agents and
terminal operators to suspend all reviews or increases in port charges to restore
stability and ensure transparent stakeholder engagement
The directive was issued by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, through the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Mrs
Rebecca Adamu, in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Akutah said all terminal operators, shipping agents and shipping companies must
refrain from implementing new tariff adjustments until meaningful consultations
with stakeholders have been concluded.
He noted that recent port charge reviews were conducted strictly within the
council’s statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator.
“All tariff reviews conducted were transparent, structured, and followed a well-
defined regulatory process,” Akutah said.
According to him, the review processes involved detailed technical assessments
and consultative engagements with affected service providers.
This, he emphasised, was to evaluate cost drivers, operational realities, investment
obligations and regulatory compliance.
Akutah explained that such engagements did not amount to automatic approval of
new charges, noting that final decisions were made only after rigorous internal,
technical and financial assessments adding that the assessments were guided by
empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks and prevailing economic conditions.
“Notwithstanding these processes, shipping companies, agents and terminal
operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until
proper stakeholder engagement has been conducted,” he said.
The NSC boss warned that the council would take strict action against any service
provider found disrupting port operations, stressing its authority to enforce
compliance under existing laws.
“Transparency, fairness and stakeholder participation remain fundamental
principles underpinning port economic regulation in Nigeria,” Akutah said.
He reassured port users and operators of the council’s commitment to protecting
stakeholders’ interests, promoting fair competition and ensuring a predictable and
stable business environment in the maritime sector.
Akutah also noted that the NSC is empowered to apply sanctions, including
enforcement measures outlined in relevant regulatory frameworks, against
defaulting operators.
The directive followed protests on Monday by members of the Association of
Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and other freight forwarders, who
shut down the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office in Apapa over
increased charges.
The MSC had raised the Import Documentation Fee for 20-foot containers from
N45,000 to N58,500 and for 40-foot containers from N72,000 to N93,600, while
additional port charges increased from N50,000 to N80,000 for 20-foot containers
and from N100,000 to N160,000 for 40-foot containers.
The NSC said its intervention was aimed at ensuring fair consultation, preventing
further disruptions and maintaining harmony in port operations while balancing the
interests of service providers and port users.
