13.1.2026
Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has directed shipping companies, agents and terminal operators to suspend all reviews or increases in port charges to restore stability and ensure transparent stakeholder engagement.
The directive was issued by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr Pius Akutah, through the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Mrs Rebecca Adamu, in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Akutah said all terminal operators, shipping agents and shipping companies must refrain from implementing new tariff adjustments until meaningful consultations with stakeholders have been concluded.
He noted that recent port charge reviews were conducted strictly within the council’s statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator.
“All tariff reviews conducted were transparent, structured, and followed a well-defined regulatory process,” Akutah said.
According to him, the review processes involved detailed technical assessments and consultative engagements with affected service providers.
This, he emphasised, was to evaluate cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations and regulatory compliance.
Akutah explained that such engagements did not amount to automatic approval of new charges, noting that final decisions were made only after rigorous internal, technical and financial assessments.
He added that the assessments were guided by empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks and prevailing economic conditions.
“Notwithstanding these processes, shipping companies, agents and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until proper stakeholder engagement has been conducted,” he said.
The NSC boss warned that the council would take strict action against any service provider found disrupting port operations, stressing its authority to enforce compliance under existing laws.
“Transparency, fairness and stakeholder participation remain fundamental principles underpinning port economic regulation in Nigeria,” Akutah said. NAN