The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has raised an alarm on the disturbing number of empty containers clogging Nigerian ports, with an estimated 65,000 to 100,000 TEUs of empty containers currently dumped and littering ports.
This was disclosed in a press release signed by the SEREC Head of Research, Fwdr Eugene Nweke on 8th June, 2025.
Nweke pointed out that the practice has attributed to the high cost of freighting back empty containers, resulting to the significant backlog and posing health risks and environmental pollution.
According to SEREC, the cost of freighting empty containers back to Europe, Asia, the US, and the Middle East from Nigeria varies greatly, ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 per container, depending on several factors.
A comparative study by SEREC revealed that it would cost a ship with a loading capacity of 4,500 TEUs approximately $9 million to freight back empty containers to the origin port, a significant cost burden on shipping lines.
Moreover, SEREC’s investigation also revealed that about 45% of containers circulating in the Nigerian shipping space are “lickety” containers, classified as unseaworthy. This raises serious concerns about the safety and security of goods being transported in these containers.
To address this issue, SEREC recommends that shipping lines, port authorities, and government agencies work together to develop and implement effective container management strategies.
The organisation suggests encouraging Nigerian businesses to increase their exports to reduce the number of empty containers, investing in better port facilities and management systems, and establishing efficient container return systems.
SEREC also reminded shipping lines that, as provided in the Customs Act 2023, containers fall under the category of temporary importation (TI) and shall be converted to dutiable imports after three months’ grace. The organisation believes that it is in the best interests of shipping lines to respect trade terms and do the needful.
