The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has insisted that shipping companies and their agents operating at the country’s seaports must engage relevant stakeholders before implementing any increase in service tariffs.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr Pius Akutah, acknowledged prevailing economic challenges but stressed the need to strike a balance between cost recovery and the protection of port users.

Akutah stated this yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting on tariff review for charges by shipping companies, service providers, clearing agents, importers and freight forwarders, at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos.

He said the Council was not insensitive to the prevailing economic realities, including foreign exchange (FX) challenge, inflationary pressures and the need to keep the country’s ports competitive in the sub-region.

Akutah said stakeholders must, at the same time, ensure that cost recovery by service providers does not translate into excessive burdens on port users or undermine national trade objectives.

Akutah, who was represented by the Director of Consumer Affairs at the NSC, Ify Okolue, said stakeholder engagement is critical to maintaining the port system and ensuring that Nigeria’s ports align with global best practices, while safeguarding the interests of port users and the national economy. He explained that the Council’s mandate is to promote fairness, efficiency and balance within the port system.

“Our role is not only to ensure that service providers operate within an economically justifiable framework, but also to protect port users from arbitrary, unjustified, or anti-competitive charges. In carrying out this responsibility, the Council is guided by due process, transparency, stakeholder consultation, and the overriding national interest.”

“It is important to emphasise that the mandate of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is to promote fairness, efficiency, and balance within the port system,” he said.

Speaking further, Akutah said the Council remains open to dialogue and is committed to ensuring equity, regulatory integrity, and the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.

Akutah said the Council remains open to dialogue and is committed to equity, regulatory integrity, and the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.

Stakeholders present at the meeting included the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Maritime and Freight Forwarders Unit and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).(The Guardian)