By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Tensions are mounting at Nigeria’s ports as freight forwarders and logistics operators threaten a full-scale shutdown in response to the controversial implementation of new shipping charges.
The Western Zone of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), alongside the Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria and other stakeholders, have given authorities a three-day ultimatum to resolve the matter.
At the center of the dispute is the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which had reportedly assured industry players that proposed increases in shipping charges would be suspended pending stakeholder consultations. Instead, shipping companies appear to have moved forward with the new fees, creating uncertainty and eroding trust among operators.
Stakeholders also raised concerns over an unsigned statement circulating on social media, purportedly from the NSC, directing a suspension of the charges. The communication, released during a public holiday, was not formally transmitted to key players nor acknowledged by shipping companies, leaving freight forwarders unsure of the official regulatory position.
In response, freight forwarders have continued the second phase of service withdrawal, including picketing shipping companies, as a measure to demand clarity and accountability. While the action has so far been measured, prolonged disruption could slow cargo clearance and affect supply chains that depend heavily on imports.
The groups have called on the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to intervene urgently and facilitate a comprehensive stakeholders’ meeting between March 23 and 25. They emphasized that their concern is not with legitimate charge adjustments, but with ensuring proper process, transparency, and consultation before any implementation.
