The Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SSACFEA) has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with operators over the 15 per cent port charges implementation.
The association made the plea at a news conference in Lagos on Friday.
The association’s President, Mrs Boma Alabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), also urged the government to put the recent 15 per cent port charges implementation on hold to enable dialogue.
“We were not informed about the charges before the government implemented them. The government should try to make the ports competitive and attractive, which can be achieved through a reduction of port charges.
“If port charges are reduced, cargo throughput will increase, then the government will make more revenue, and there will be enough jobs available for the youth,” Alabi said.
She said that Nigeria lost cargoes to neighbouring countries due to high port charges.
She said that the government could review cargo costs to enable the ports to be attractive and competitive.
Alabi said that it cost 15,000 dollars for ships to call at other ports, while it cost 150,000 dollars for ships to call at Nigerian ports.
“Before the implementation of the 15 per cent port charges by the government, port charges on 40ft containers additionally cost N100,000, while it cost N55,000 for 20ft containers.
“After the 15 per cent port charges implementation, it costs an additional N290,000 to bring a 40ft container into Nigerian ports, while it costs N145,000 to bring a 20ft container.
“In Singapore, it takes 29,000 dollars for a ship to berth; 60,000 dollars in Abidjan; 35,000 dollars in China; 26,000 dollars in Lome; 27,000 dollars in Cotonou; and 35,000 dollars in Nigeria,” Alabi said.
She called for port expansion, saying that ports could not be competitive if the cost of doing business was high.
Alabi urged the government to re-dollarise port charges on both import and export goods to make Nigerian ports attractive and competitive.
She said that neighbouring countries had hijacked Nigerian cargoes and they still found ways into the country through smuggling, which she described as dangerous to the economy.
Alabi said that vessels calling at Nigerian ports were leaving with empty containers, while agricultural produce was getting out of the country by road with lesser toll fees, enriching neighbouring countries who sold to foreigners.
In his contribution, the Deputy Managing Director, CMA CGM, a shipping line, Mr Ramesh Saraf, pleaded with the government to support them to remain in business.
Saraf said that Meridian Ports Service Ltd., owner of Terminal C in Tema Port, recorded 1.9 million TEUs (20ft equivalent units) that called at the terminal in 2024, while 1.2 million TEUs called at Nigerian ports in 2024.
He said that lower port charges would attract more cargo to Nigerian ports.
“Lekki Deep Sea Port started operation in April 2023 with less than half capacity of cargo, and now less operation is taking place at the port.
“The cost of operation in Lekki Deep Sea Port is triple the port charges in other ports across the world,” Saraf said.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced a 15 per cent increase in port tariffs, the first adjustment in 32 years, citing the need to modernise infrastructure and equipment, which will take effect on March 1.
