By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reiterated the need for comprehensive stakeholder consultations before the implementation of a proposed 30 per cent increase in shipping tariffs.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ forum on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Akutah Pius, said the earlier suspension of the tariff hike in March 2026 was a deliberate move to allow wider engagement across the maritime sector.
He stressed that the new tariff would only take effect after shipping companies conclude consultations with importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders in the value chain.
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr Pius Akutah (2nd right) flanked by senior management of the Council at a stakeholders engagement on Tuesday in LagosAccording to him, the approved 30 per cent increase represents a ceiling rather than a fixed rate, adding that implementation would be gradual depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions.
“The 30 per cent increase is the upper limit. Shipping companies may implement 10 or 20 per cent based on consultations. It will be gradual,” Akutah said.
He noted that while some shipping companies had initially proposed tariff increases ranging between 150 and 200 per cent, the Council settled for 30 per cent to strike a balance between industry sustainability and economic stability.
Akutah assured stakeholders that the adjustment would not destabilise the economy, explaining that the Council took into account prevailing economic realities, including rising operational costs and wage adjustments within the sector.
Stakeholders at the forum, however, emphasised the importance of due process and inclusive engagement before any tariff implementation.
President of the National Shippers’ Association of Nigeria, Jamilu Umar, said stakeholders were not opposed to the increase but insisted that proper consultation must be followed.
Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) called for mandatory engagement between shipping companies and stakeholders prior to any tariff adjustments.
Also speaking, President of the Shipping Association of Nigeria, Boma Alabi, attributed the proposed hike to prevailing economic challenges, noting that the approved rate fell short of industry expectations.
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“The 30 per cent approved is not entirely commercial. We initially proposed over 100 per cent, but this reflects current realities,” she said.
Alabi added that operators in the sector were grappling with rising costs, including wage increases, and called for sustained collaboration to build a more competitive maritime industry.
Other stakeholders present at the meeting included the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, and the West Africa Exporters Association, among others.
The engagement underscores ongoing efforts to balance cost pressures within the maritime industry with the need to protect the broader economy from excessive tariff increases.
