Importers, agents reject shipping firms tariff hike beyond 30%

By Oluwakemi Oluwalogbon

Importers, clearing agents and other stakeholders operating at the nation’s seaports have rejected a fresh push by foreign shipping companies for an upward review beyond the 30 per cent tariff increase earlier approved by the Nigerian Shippers Council.

The rejection comes amid ongoing negotiations convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services in Lagos to resolve lingering disputes over port charges.

Speaking to Spynews, a senior member of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics (APFFLON) said stakeholders were unanimous in opposing the 30 per cent increment, warning that any further increase would worsen inflationary pressures and raise the cost of doing business at the ports.

The source, who preferred anonymity, described the demand for a higher tariff as insensitive to the current economic realities.

“It is not acceptable to our importers or us. We have rejected the call as an act of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, importers and clearing agents,” the source said.

However, the chairman of the House Committee on Shipping Services, Abdusamad Dasuki, disclosed after a closed-door meeting that a fresh round of stakeholder engagements has been scheduled within the next two weeks to address unresolved issues.

He said the Committee had directed the NSC, shipping companies and other stakeholders to identify grey areas and agree on timelines to guide further discussions.

“We expect that at the next meeting, there will be a clear framework, including timelines and participation of regulatory representatives, to guide the process towards implementation,” Dasuki stated.

He added that a new implementation date for any agreed tariff adjustment would be announced after consultations are concluded.

Earlier, the executive secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, explained that although the Council approved a 30 per cent increase, its implementation was suspended due to stakeholder resistance.

Akutah maintained that a tariff review remains necessary, noting that there has been no adjustment in over two years. He added that the Council had proposed a phased implementation, with the 30 per cent increase serving as a ceiling.

According to him, while most stakeholders agree on the need for a review, disagreements persist over the scale, with shipping companies arguing that the proposed rate does not reflect current inflation levels.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the talks, noting that no significant progress had been made.

She called for the establishment of a transparent, consistent tariff-review mechanism, similar to those used in regulated sectors such as telecommunications and energy.

The ongoing deadlock underscores deepening tensions in Nigeria’s maritime sector, as regulators and operators struggle to balance economic pressures with the need to sustain efficient, competitive port services.