The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has firmly rejected the proposed increment in shipping companies’ charges, insisting that there is no justification for any upward review and that all increases must remain suspended pending proper stakeholders’ engagement.
Speaking after a tariff review meeting convened by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos on Wednesday, ANLCA President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, said freight forwarders were unanimous in their opposition to the increment, particularly by some shipping lines, including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
According to the ANLCA President, who was represented by the Association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme, stakeholders agreed that shipping companies must return “to the drawing board” as the proposed charges lack transparency and economic justification.
“Everybody rejected the increment because there is no justification for it. We insisted that the increments remain suspended until proper engagement is done. It is not appropriate for shipping companies to engage the NSC before engaging the trading public — importers and freight forwarders,” Onyeme said.
He added that the Council, as regulator, ought to have convened a broader stakeholders’ forum earlier, noting that many long-standing operational challenges faced by freight forwarders were also highlighted during the meeting.
Aligning with this position, the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) called for restraint and inclusiveness in any future tariff review. The National Vice President of IMAN, Chief Ndubuisi George, proposed a six-month grace period for the clearance of backlog consignments already ordered from overseas suppliers before any new charges are considered.
George also advocated for the establishment of an inclusive tariff review framework, with IMAN leading as the cargo owners’ representative, and the adoption of a transparent, internationally benchmarked tariff-setting process in line with global best practices.
“Any tariff or rent review conducted without IMAN’s input is invalid and unacceptable,” he said, while apologising to the importing public for disruptions and losses caused by protests against the proposed increments. He commended the Executive Secretary of the NSC for withdrawing earlier approvals pending broader consultations, describing the move as confidence-restoring.
Earlier at the meeting, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council reiterated its directive to shipping companies to halt any tariff increase and intensify engagement with stakeholders. The Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah MON, represented by the Director of Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Ify Okolue, stressed that stakeholder consultation is critical to order, fairness and sustainability in the port system.
“Our mandate is to promote fairness, efficiency and balance, while protecting port users from arbitrary, unjustified or anti-competitive charges,” Akutah said, assuring stakeholders that the Council remains open to dialogue and committed to due process and transparency.
Concluding the meeting, the ANLCA Western Zone Coordinator, Alhaji Femi Anifowose, applauded freight forwarders, importers and OPS groups for maintaining a united front.
“We maintained our position clearly: there will be no increment in shipping charges. Further engagements will be held, but the increments remain suspended. We said no,” he declared.
Similarly, the ANLCA Tin Can Island Chapter Chairman, Prince Olawale Cole, lamented what he described as exploitative practices by some shipping lines, particularly MSC.
“They charge for holidays and weekends they don’t work, collect detention even before vessels berth, demand container deposits despite existing laws, and operate without holding bays — using trucks as holding bays to extort money. These are the issues hurting freight agents,” Cole said.
The meeting was attended by IMAN, LCCI, NACCIMA, ANLCA, NAGAFF, NCMDLCA and APFFLON, among other key maritime stakeholders.
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