The Nigerian Shippers’ Council in a decisive move to protect port users and restore confidence in Nigeria’s maritime economy has directed shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators to immediately suspend any review or upward adjustment of charges pending full stakeholders engagement. This is as clearing Agents and freight forwarders vehemently kick against such charges, which attracted a protest that could have led to breakdown of law and order in the Lagos ports.

According to a statement from the NSC signed by Rebecca Adamu, Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the agency resolve to maintain order, accountability, and balance across the nation’s ports.

Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator made it clear that no shipping line, agent, or terminal operator is permitted to implement new tariffs without proper consultation with affected stakeholders.
The directive follows growing concerns within the maritime industry over unilateral charge reviews capable of disrupting port operations and increasing the cost of doing business.

The Council clarified that while recent tariff adjustments were approved strictly within its statutory mandate, such approvals followed a transparent, structured, and consultative regulatory process.

According to the NSC, the reviews were informed by extensive technical engagements examining cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations, and regulatory compliance. However, these engagements did not amount to blanket or automatic approvals.

Final decisions, the Council explained, were reached only after rigorous internal, technical, and financial evaluations guided by empirical data, regulatory benchmarks, and prevailing economic conditions.
Despite this, the NSC has now ordered all port service providers to halt any planned charge reviews until they have properly consulted their stakeholders.

The Council warned that it would not hesitate to “wield the big stick” against operators whose actions disrupt port operations or undermine regulatory order.
Reaffirming its stance, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah (MON), stressed that transparency, fairness, and stakeholder participation remain the cornerstone of port economic regulation in Nigeria. He cautioned that the Council is fully empowered to impose sanctions, including enforcement actions provided under existing regulatory frameworks, on any defaulting operator.

While encouraging dialogue and constructive engagement, Dr. Akutah warned that service providers who proceed with charge reviews without stakeholder consultation should be prepared for decisive regulatory action.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of port users, promoting fair competition, and ensuring a stable, predictable business environment within Nigeria’s maritime sector.