Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recovered a cumulative sum of over N197 billion for shippers and other port users in 2025, while successfully resolving 108 complaints across the four quarters of the year.
Recall that NSC successfully handled a total of 149 complaints in 2024, leading to an impressive total savings of over ₦526 billion, through interventions in complaints lodged by stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry which were handled by its Complaints Unit.
An analysis of the Council’s quarterly newsletters for 2025, exclusively reviewed by our correspondent shows that the recoveries were made through the Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, covering disputes related to arbitrary charges, container deposit refunds, demurrage and detention, cargo damage, documentation errors, non-delivery of cargo, and other port service infractions.
A breakdown of the recoveries in the first quarter (January–March 2025) showed that the Council recovered over N62.8 million and $15,964 (about N24.4 million) for port users following interventions on 41 complaints received within the period. This brought the total value recovered in the quarter to approximately N87.2 million.
Out of the 41 complaints, 22 were resolved, 14 were ongoing, four were placed on “Keep in View” (KIV) status, and one was closed. The majority of complaints were lodged against shipping companies and their agents, with arbitrary charges and container deposit refund disputes ranking highest.
Between April and June 2025, the Council recorded its highest quarterly savings, securing over N175.8 billion and $30,000 (about N45.9 million) for stakeholders through dispute resolution.
Within the quarter, the Council received 40 complaints and resolved 21, while 18 remained ongoing and one was closed without resolution.
In the third quarter (July–September 2025), the NSC recovered over N2.059 billion through interventions on complaints involving container deposit refunds, demurrage and detention, cargo damage, missing containers, and documentation lapses.
Out of 46 complaints received, 26 were successfully resolved, with the remaining cases undergoing further verification.
In the fourth quarter (October–December 2025), the Council recovered over N16.3 million and $39,779.02 (about N60.8 million) on behalf of port users, while resolving 39 out of 56 complaints received within the period. Fourteen cases remained ongoing, two were closed, and one was classified as Keep In View (KIV).
The Council stressed that its interventions align with its statutory mandate to safeguard shippers’ interests, promote transparency, and improve efficiency in port operations, while urging stakeholders to continue bringing grievances forward for prompt redress.
