Samson EchenimThe battle line appeares to have been drawn between port economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and a section of the country’s customs clearing agents and freight forwarders under the aegis of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) over the regulator’s recent approval of new port charges by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT).
Following the approval of WACT’s newly reviewed terminal charges by the NSC at Onne Port in Rivers State, APFFLON has recently asserted its members rejection of the rates, saying the NSC approved them arbitrarily and without due consultations with clearing agents.
The Shippers’ Council had earlier on Monday, defended the terminal charge review by WACT, a container terminal owned by AP Moller and operating within the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone near Port Harcourt. The port operator had announced an 8% increase in terminal handling charges, while raising storage handling charge by100%, effective April 1, 2025.
However, reacting to the development, APFFLON on Tuesday threatened to petition the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking with journalists, APFFLON President, Frank Ogunojemite, said the association had previously written to the NSC on the implications of the increase, but their concerns were ignored, leading to suspicions of compromise by the Shippers’ Council, whose core role is to protect shippers interests.
“If the Nigerian Shippers’ Council can support WACT on this increment that is sabotage on the Federal Government’s initiative to make the Nigerian ports hub in West Africa and it means the council no longer have the interest of the shippers and the citizens,” Ogunojemitesaid.
According to him, in 2024, WACT also raised charges by 100%.
“We will not fold our hands for Shippers Council to sabotage the effort of the Minister to reduce port cost,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, the NSC has defended WACT’s new rates, saying they were within industry benchmark.
In a statement made available to The Nigerian Economy on Tuesday, the Shippers Council said the tariff increment implemented by WACT was duly reviewed and approved.
Quoting WACT, the Council said APFFLON has not fulfilled certain requirement of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), which is a prerequisite for recognition as a body of licenced clearing agents or freight forwarders.
NSC stated: “The review was conducted following rigorous assessment processes to ensure that the rates remain within the acceptable industry benchmark and align with prevailing economic realities. It is pertinent to note that the NSC, in its regulatory capacity, ensures that all approved tariff adjustments are fair, justifiable, and sustainable for both service providers and port users.
“According to WACT, prior to the implementation of the new tariff structure, WACT engaged extensively with the leadership of registered clearing agents in Onne, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN), and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (CMD). The discussions led to a mutual agreement that the implementation would be phased to ease the impact on port users.
“In adherence to this agreement, WACT initially implemented first phase of the tariff increment, which was accepted by the service users. Following due consultations and considerations, the final phase of the agreed increment was scheduled for implementation after a one-month and two-week notice period given to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and adequate preparation.
“The claim by APFFLON is misleading. According to WACT, APFFLON has, for two years, failed to obtain an introductory letter from the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), which is a prerequisite for recognition as an agent. As such, their inability to participate in the stakeholder engagement process was due to their own non-compliance with regulatory requirements and not an act of exclusion by WACT.”
The Shippers’ Council assured that it remained committed to its mandate of ensuring fair
and competitive practices in the port sector while balancing the interests of
terminal operators and port users.
“We urge stakeholders to engage constructively
and in accordance with regulatory frameworks to enhance efficiency in our port operations,” NSC stated.
