Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recovered over N16.3 million and $39,779.02, respectively on behalf of shippers in the fourth quarter of 2025, while resolving 39 out of 56 complaints received within the period under review.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that NSC had earlier announced that it successfully saved shippers over ₦2,059 billion for shippers through interventions in complaints lodged by stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry which were handled by its Complaints Unit in the third quarter of 2025.
According to Council’s quarterly newsletter covering October to December 2025, highlighting its continued intervention in trade disputes and port-related grievances. According to the report, 14 complaints remain ongoing, two were closed, and one was classified as KIV (Kept in View). The complaints were lodged by various stakeholders including shippers (importers and exporters), shipping companies and agents, as well as freight forwarders.
A breakdown of complaints shows that shipping companies and their agents had the highest number of petitions against them; with 28 cases. This was followed by importers with eight complaints, seaport terminal operators and government agencies with four cases each, de-consolidators and freight forwarders/clearing agents with five cases respectively, and exporters with two complaints.
In terms of the nature of complaints, arbitrary charges topped the list with eight occurrences, while container deposit refund issues accounted for six cases. Missing containers, unreturned containers, breach of contract, and claims on damaged cargo recorded four cases each. Other issues included unpaid demurrage and detention charges, lien on cargo, arbitrary storage charges, cargo clearance delays, container blockage, arbitrary shipping charges, missing cargo, and excessive customs duty, wrong port of discharge, erroneous transfer, delayed exports, non-delivery of cargo, demurrage waiver requests, overstayed cargo, and failure in service delivery.
Industry observers note that the N16.3 million and nearly $40,000 recovered in the quarter underscore the Council’s regulatory role in protecting port users from undue charges and operational inefficiencies. The resolution of 39 complaints within the quarter also reflects ongoing efforts to improve transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s port system.
