The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has saved N348.8 million in its dispute resolution intervention involving importers, exporters, freight forwarders and shipping agents in the first quarter of 2026.

According to the Council’s sectoral data in its quarterly newsletter covering January to March, the complaints status showed that out of 32 cases handled during the period under review, 19 were successfully resolved, 12 are still ongoing, and one case has been closed.

The complaint analysis of the report showed that shipping companies and their agents accounted for the highest number of complaints, with 22 cases filed against them, followed by freight forwarders/clearing agents and government agencies, with three cases each.

Other entities that complained include seaport terminal operators, exporters, importers, and deconsolidators, with one case each.

The report noted that complaints lodged during the period cut across a wide range of operational and financial issues, with five cases of container deposit refund disputes, followed by four cases of arbitrary charges and two unsettled demurrage cases.

Other issues included two cases each of missing cargo, service failure, damaged cargo, wrong port of discharge and non-release of auction cargo.

Additional complaints included delays in cargo transfer, breach of trust, cancellation of invoices, lack of telex release, delays in releasing export documents, export fraud, waiver-related disputes, demurrage and detention of vessels, breach of contract, and unjustified demurrage charges.

The report also revealed that the majority of complainants were shippers, including importers and exporters, as well as freight forwarders and shipping agents.

The report highlighted the agency’s continued intervention in maritime-sector disputes, aimed at reducing trade frictions and protecting shippers from unfair practices.

The Council said that as the port economic regulator, it has consistently leveraged its complaints and dispute resolution mechanism to address grievances and ensure fairness in commercial transactions within the maritime industry.