About 1,000 export containers are stranded at the APM Terminals (APMT) in Lagos due to vessel shortages and persistent congestion, prompting the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to intervene amid concerns over potential losses to exporters.

Nigerian shippers had decried abandoned export containers at the ports by shipping companies.

The Head of the NSC Complaints Unit, Juliana Saka, during an engagement with maritime journalists in Lagos, disclosed that the Council engaged Maersk Nigeria on the issue, where the shipping company disclosed that about 1,800 export containers were awaiting shipment at the terminal.

It added that while 800 had already been evacuated, about 1,000 remained trapped.

Saka said the affected cargoes were mainly exports destined for African countries and the Far East, where vessel rescheduling has further delayed shipments.

She said Maersk attributed the backlog to a sharp increase in Nigeria’s export volumes, inadequate vessel capacity and congestion at APM Terminals.

She said the Council’s intervention followed a complaint by the National Association of Shippers over 150 allegedly abandoned export containers.

The initial petition lacked the container numbers required for investigation, forcing the Council to request additional information before commencing its inquiry, she explained.

Saka said many of the affected consignments consist of hibiscus flowers, a commodity with a shelf life of about one year but one that risked quality deterioration if held at the port for extended periods.

The Council was said to have warned Maersk that prolonged delays could expose the company to compensation claims if exporters’ cargoes deteriorate before reaching their destinations.

“If the cargo arrives at its destination in poor condition as a result of these delays, Maersk may be liable for both the value of the damaged cargo and the freight already paid by the exporters,” she said.

She added Maersk assured stakeholders it would explore options to deploy a vessel in the upper week to lift the outstanding containers, while the Council would continue monitoring the situation to ensure exporters do not suffer avoidable losses.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, said the Council had moved swiftly to address the complaints after they were brought to its attention, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian shippers and exporters.

He said the intervention comes as Nigeria continues to push for increased non-oil exports, with logistics bottlenecks and port congestion remaining major challenges to the country’s export competitiveness.