Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has recovered a total of N5,553,984.00 in container deposit refunds and demurrage-related claims for aggrieved shippers and cargo owners during the first quarter of 2025.
The Council, through its Complaints Unit, successfully intervened in multiple complaints involving shipping companies and terminal operators, which led to the refund of withheld funds that had sparked disputes across the industry.
Recall that the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah last week also revealed that the council saved the Nigerian economy N6 billion through resolutions of industry-related conflicts in 2024. He noted that the council protected investments in the sector through strict compliance to standards
Dr. Akutah said that the NSC ensured that services like cargo clearance and resolution of trade related disputes met industry expectations by setting standards that were geared towards achieving efficiency of the port sector.
Shipping companies demand container deposits primarily as a security measure to ensure that containers are returned in good condition and within the agreed time frame. Critics of the container deposit system argue that it has become a tool for exploitation rather than a genuine logistics safeguard.
One of the major concerns raised by stakeholders is that refunds often take excessively long, sometimes stretching into several months leaving freight forwarders and importers financially stranded. In many cases, shipping companies are believed to use these deposits for private gain, earning interest on funds that rightfully belong to their clients.
According to data gotten from the Council’s quarterly newsletter, one of the notable recoveries involved a N1 million refund to a company that acquired an auctioned container under Bill of Lading number MAEU754564687. According to the complaint, Maersk Nigeria had failed to refund the N1 million security deposit eight months after the empty container was returned, despite an earlier agreement for immediate reimbursement. NSC’s intervention prompted Maersk Nigeria to approve and process the full refund, which has since been confirmed by the complainant.
In another resolved case, another company filed a complaint against Ports and Cargo Services Limited over non-payment of refunds on excess demurrage charges. The shipper alleged challenges in obtaining the required Equipment Interchange Receipts (EIRs), which are essential for processing refund claims. Despite initial setbacks, the Council facilitated a meeting between both parties, where Ports and Cargo attributed the delay to a fire outbreak that destroyed critical documents. The issue was eventually resolved with the payment of N4,553,984.00 to the complainant.
However, not all complaints have been fully resolved. A case involving two companies is currently on hold. The Complainant expressed dissatisfaction with a 10% deduction from their refund cheque, initially valued at N484,233.75 but reduced to N435,809.70. Despite follow-ups, the complainant failed to attend scheduled meetings and did not submit the necessary documents for further investigation. The matter has been kept in view (KIV) pending further action.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting cargo owners and shippers against unfair practices in the maritime sector, urging stakeholders to promptly report issues for quick resolution.
