Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has saved over N90.6 billion and $1.348 million in economic value for Nigerian shippers and the national economy through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and regulatory interventions between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2026.

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, who disclosed this during an engagement with the maritime journalists on Saturday, said the council prevented N86.06 billion unjustified demurrage payments and secured a savings of N4.54 billion and $1.348 million.

According to Akutah, the Council received 558 complaints and resolved 295 cases with disputes covering container deposits, demurrage, detention charges, terminal charges, cargo claims, export fraud and related commercial matters.

He said the council also concluded out-of-court settlements involving APM Terminals Nigeria Limited, CMA CGM and Maersk Nigeria Limited in matters arising from charges paid above approved tariffs.

These interventions, he stated, protected Nigerian shippers, reduced litigation and reinforced confidence in the Council’s dispute resolution framework.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution remains one of the Council’s most effective mechanisms for protecting Nigerian shippers and reducing the cost of doing business,” he said.

He said the Council also achieved major institutional milestones, including the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill, by both Chambers of the National Assembly, approval of its statutory funding mechanism through the 2025 Appropriation Act, active participation in the National Single Window Project and resolution of key issues delaying implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).

MEANWHILE, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, enhance regional maritime governance, and promote the sustainable development of the Blue Economy across West Africa.

The MoU is expected to improve maritime governance, strengthen institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking through comparative research, enhance regulatory effectiveness, and reinforce collaborative efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea, and maritime terrorism, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, yesterday, the agreement provides that both maritime administrations will establish a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) to develop action plans, coordinate implementation, and monitor agreed programmes through designated focal persons.

Also, the JCT will meet twice yearly, with meetings hosted alternately by Nigeria and Ghana to review implementation progress, evaluate cooperation activities, and strengthen bilateral engagement.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lagos, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated that the MoU provides a practical framework for deeper collaboration in maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing, comparative research, joint enforcement initiatives and regional cooperation at international maritime fora.

In his remarks, the Director General, Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the longstanding relationship between both maritime administrations.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in the region, noting that Ghana has, over the years, drawn valuable lessons from several Nigerian maritime initiatives, including Nigeria’s Cabotage regime, ship registry, and regulatory frameworks.