Shipping Tariff Hike: Despite NSC Directive, Freight Forwarders Resume Protest, Demand Written Proof

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Freight forwarders on Monday resumed their protest against shipping companies over a controversial tariff hike, insisting they will not stand down until they receive written confirmation that the increased charges have been reversed, despite an earlier intervention by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) suspending the hike.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council had last week issued a suspension notice directing shipping companies to halt the implementation of the new tariff increases, describing the hike as a unilateral imposition that violated established consultative processes.
The directive had raised hopes that the standoff between freight forwarders and shipping lines would be resolved.

However, freight forwarding associations said the verbal and administrative directives have not translated into action on the ground, with shipping companies yet to formally revert to the old rates.

Speaking with DAILY TREND, Western Zone Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Femi Anifowose, confirmed that the standoff was continuing on Monday, March 23, 2026, and would persist until freight forwarders received a written assurance from the Council.

Anifowose noted that precedent justified their caution, recalling past instances where the Shippers’ Council issued verbal cancellations but shipping companies went ahead regardless and collected the increased charges.

Corroborating him, National President of the Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics Operators of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, confirmed that members of all freight forwarding associations, including APFFLON, were already on the ground at shipping company offices for the continuation of the protest.

“The shipping companies are yet to revert the hike, and that is why the protest continues. We need a written proof that the shipping companies have reverted to the old rate, and an official letter to the shipping companies copying the associations, we don’t need a mere announcement,” he said.

National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Emmanuel Onyeme, was equally unequivocal, stating that freight forwarders were not ready to back down until the charges were fully reversed.

“Shipping companies are not adding any value to the Nigerian port system. They have no investment here at our ports, they only collect this money and repatriate it to their parent companies abroad.

“The terminal operators, on their part, invest in cranes. We see some measure of construction in the port, they add value. But what are the shipping companies doing? After this protest, however, we shall visit the increase in terminal charges as well,” he vowed.