The National Shippers Association of Nigeria (NSAN) has expressed concern over recent increase of port service charges approved by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), warning that the move could raise trade costs and undermine the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda.

In a recent position paper submitted to the NSC, the association said “This is not just a procedural oversight; it is a regulatory failure,” the association said, arguing that the Council appeared to prioritise terminal operators’ profitability over the interests of shippers and the wider economy.

NSAN cautioned that the higher charges could increase landing costs for imports, worsen inflationary pressures, and create uncertainty for businesses already grappling with high operating costs.

Acting National President of NSAN Jamilu Goma expressed optimism, “We trust that the NSC will act with the integrity and fairness envisioned in its enabling Act,”

On his part, Chairman hairman of the Board of Trustees of NSAN, Alh. Ali Madugu, said:
“We reject the recent tariff increase by service providers in the shipping industry, the shipping line, they arbitrarily woke up and increased their tariffs without really consulting with us, the cargo owners,” he said.

He stressed that NSAN members are the cargo owners, that there would be no shipping lines without them, and that it is only appropriate for the NSC and operators to consult them and reach an agreement before implementing any form of tariff increase.

It was earlier reported that the Nigerian Shippers Council had ordered all shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators at Nigerian ports to halt any tariff increases or adjustments until they have fully consulted with stakeholders.

In the statement, NSC Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu, explained that the recent adjustments were approved strictly under the council’s statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator.

The council stressed that all tariff reviews are conducted through a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.

It added, “Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the NSC will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations,” it added.

Madugu pointed out that the association would like to know how the NSC arrived at the figures and what methodology or template was used to approve the increase.

Madugu said the NSC, as the regulator, ought to have engaged NSAN and other stakeholders for necessary input before making a decision.

The Western Zone Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Femi Anifowose, said: “somebody cannot just wake up one day and decide to increase charges without consulting the stakeholders, and the Shippers Council has given them a letter to that effect, which is wrong,” he said.

Anifowose explained that no stakeholders were engaged before the hike, and all parties, including manufacturers, have unanimously rejected the increase. “The negotiation is still ongoing. Let’s have a talk with all stakeholders involved, that’s the position of all stakeholders,” he added.

In her address, NSAN Secretary General, Ijeoma Ezeasor, said: “We are rejecting it, and if at the end of this meeting the port charges are not reversed, we as stakeholders will go into meetings and address the public going forward,”

She noted that opposition to the charges cut across the industry, adding “every of the stakeholders, including freight forwarders rejected the charges.”