Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has formally directed the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to suspend the implementation of its newly introduced shipping tariff, as tensions escalate across the country’s maritime sector.
In a letter dated March 23, 2026, titled “Re: Suspension of Tariff Approval” and referenced MSC/RSD/M4/044/VOL/124, the Council instructed MSC to comply with an earlier directive halting the tariff increase pending broader consultations.
Signed by Margaret Ogbonnah, Director of the Regulatory Services Department, on behalf of the Council’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Pius Akutah, the letter was addressed to the Managing Director of MSC.
According to the Council, MSC must retain its existing tariff structure until a stakeholders’ meeting is convened to discuss the proposed charges and their implications for port users.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has formally requested your organisation to abide by the current tariff suspension until NSC organises a stakeholders meeting soon. Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary/CEO, esteemed regards,” the letter read.
Despite the directive, freight forwarders operating in Lagos ports on Monday continued their protest against the contentious charges. Efforts to verify compliance by shipping firms have been hindered by the shutdown of several shipping company offices amid the demonstrations.
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Western Zone; the Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON); and other industry groups said the sustained picketing was necessary due to what they described as inadequate transparency from both the regulator and shipping lines.
In a statement signed by ANLCA National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel C. Onyeme, the association noted that the protest would continue until stakeholders are properly briefed on the true status of the suspended charges.
The freight forwarders also expressed concern that the NSC’s earlier public statement on the suspension was not signed by any official, raising fears that the absence of a formal signatory could allow shipping companies to exploit the loophole.
With port users confused over whether the controversial charges remain in force, the associations reiterated their call for the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to urgently convene a stakeholders’ meeting involving freight forwarders, shipping companies, and regulators.
They maintained that while they do not oppose legitimate tariff reviews, such changes must follow due process and proper consultation to avoid disruptions to port operations and the broader logistics value chain.
The groups insisted that the protest would remain peaceful but persistent until clarity is provided, warning that prolonged uncertainty could further erode confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.