Amid the hike in charges and tariffs by foreign shipping companies, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, has urged shipping companies to engage clearing agents in dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute.

Speaking in Abeokuta during the Council’s management retreat, Akutah said the shipping companies and clearing agents must be willing to shift ground to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

He stressed that discussions between the two parties should be guided by a spirit of compromise and mutual understanding.

According to him, the Council had previously turned down requests for an increase in charges for two years, noting that the request was not necessarily aimed at profit-making or increasing profit margins.

Akutah emphasised that sustained engagement between stakeholders remains critical to maintaining stability in the maritime sector and ensuring that operational challenges do not disrupt port activities.

“I think that they need to work together more harmoniously to resolve these issues. We as a regulator have given the approval. It is left for the shipping companies and the Freight forwarders to come to a harmonious stand where they can implement this.”