Nigerian Shippers Reject Port Charge Hike

The National Shippers Association of Nigeria (NSAN) has formally rejected the recently approved increase in port service charges, warning that the move could escalate trade costs, fuel inflation, and undermine the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.

In a detailed position paper submitted to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Wednesday, NSAN criticised the approval process, alleging that cargo owners were excluded from mandatory consultations as required under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act (Cap N133 LFN 2004). The association described the development as a serious breach of regulatory trust.

“This is not just a procedural oversight; it is a regulatory failure,” NSAN stated, arguing that the Council appeared to prioritise terminal operators’ profitability over the interests of shippers and the broader Nigerian economy.

NSAN warned that the increased charges would raise landing costs for imports, worsen existing inflationary pressures, and heighten uncertainty for businesses already grappling with high operating expenses. The association also questioned the value proposition of the hike, noting that port efficiency and service delivery have not improved sufficiently to justify higher tariffs.

As part of its demands, NSAN called on the NSC to immediately suspend implementation of the new charges and convene an inclusive stakeholder meeting within 14 days to agree on a transparent, data-driven framework for future tariff reviews.

“We trust that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will act with the integrity and fairness envisioned in its enabling Act,” said Alhaji Jamilu M. Goma, Acting National President of NSAN.

The association confirmed that copies of its objection were forwarded to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the National Assembly, and key private sector bodies including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), NACCIMA, and NECA.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, the Chairman of NSAN’s Board of Trustees, Alh. Ali Madugu, further criticised shipping lines for allegedly increasing tariffs by nearly 60 per cent without consultation.

“We reject the recent tariff increase by service providers in the shipping industry, the shipping line, they arbitrarily woke up and increased their tariffs without really consulting with us, the cargo owners,” he said.

Madugu stressed that cargo owners are central to the shipping industry and should be consulted before any tariff adjustments are implemented. He also questioned the methodology used by the NSC to approve the increase and demanded clarity on how the figures were determined.

The Western Zone Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Femi Anifowose, said stakeholders were blindsided by the decision.
“Somebody cannot just wake up one day and decide to increase charges without consulting the stakeholders, and the Shippers Council has given them a letter to that effect, which is wrong,” he said.

Anifowose added that no consultations were held before the hike and that manufacturers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders had unanimously rejected the increase.
“The negotiation is still ongoing. Let’s have a talk with all stakeholders involved, that’s the position of all stakeholders,” he said.

NSAN Secretary General, Ijeoma Ezeasor, said the association’s position had been clearly communicated to regulators and operators, stressing that the charges were unacceptable to cargo owners and industry players.

“We are rejecting it, and if at the end of this meeting the port charges are not reversed, we as stakeholders will go into meetings and address the public going forward,” Ezeasor said, adding that opposition cut across the entire industry, including freight forwarders.

In response to the growing backlash, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council said the recent adjustments were approved strictly under its statutory mandate as Port Economic Regulator. In a statement, NSC Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu, said all tariff reviews are conducted through a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.

The council added, “Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the NSC will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations.”

NSAN maintains that meaningful engagement, transparency, and measurable improvements in port efficiency must precede any tariff adjustments, warning that failure to reverse the hike could have far-reaching economic consequences for businesses and consumers across Nigeria.