By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Operations across the Apapa port corridor in Lagos were thrown into chaos on Wednesday as Customs brokers staged a sweeping protest against major shipping lines, including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Pacific International Lines (PIL), and Lagos and Niger Shipping Company (LANSA), over recent increases in shipping charges.
The coordinated action saw hundreds of clearing agents and logistics operators storm the offices of the affected companies in Apapa, effectively shutting down their operations for several hours. The protest which began along Commercial Road at MSC’s premises before spreading to other shipping firms within the port city, crippling business activities and disrupting cargo movement.
The protesting freight forwarders accused the shipping companies of imposing arbitrary tariff hikes in defiance of a directive from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which had earlier called for a suspension of the increases pending wider stakeholder consultations.
They warned that the protests would not be a one-off action, vowing to sustain pressure until the charges are reversed to their previous rates.
Many described the increment as unjustifiable, especially at a time when port users are grappling with rising operational costs and economic uncertainties.
Leading the protest, the Western Zonal Coordinator of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Femi Anifowose, condemned the actions of MSC, PIL, and LANSA, accusing them of disregarding regulatory authority and failing to engage stakeholders before implementing the new charges.
He noted that beyond ignoring the NSC’s position, the shipping lines had also not initiated any meaningful dialogue with freight forwarders and importers, a move he described as both “provocative and unacceptable” within a regulated industry.
Tensions briefly eased when a senior official of MSC Nigeria addressed the protesters, explaining that the company had not received a formal written directive from the NSC ordering the suspension of the increased tariffs. According to him, while there had been verbal communication suggesting a pause, no official documentation had been issued to that effect.
He acknowledged that discussions with stakeholders were anticipated, but was unable to confirm whether any formal engagement had taken place in line with regulatory expectations.
Findings, however, suggest that the NSC had issued a public notice directing an indefinite suspension of the tariff increase. Despite this, some shipping firms reportedly relied on earlier approvals granted for the increment, creating confusion and ultimately triggering the standoff.
Also speaking, ANLCA’s National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Onyeme, criticized MSC in particular for what he described as operational inefficiencies, including inadequate infrastructure for handling empty containers. He argued that such limitations have worsened congestion and increased costs for freight agents.
In response, the MSC representative listed several facilities, including Medlog, AGL, and SIFAX terminals in Ijora, as designated holding bays for empty containers, insisting that the company has made provisions to manage its logistics operations.
Onyeme further recalled that the NSC had earlier in the year, assured stakeholders of a consultative meeting to address concerns surrounding tariff adjustments, alongside a directive that any planned increases be suspended. He expressed disappointment that shipping companies proceeded with the implementation regardless of that understanding.
Efforts by officials of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to broker peace during the protest were rebuffed, as freight forwarders maintained a firm stance, insisting that dialogue could only commence after a full reversal of the contested charges.
