NSC to implement 30% shipping tariff hike

By Fredrick Ameh

The House Committee on Shipping Services and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) have launched a high-level intervention to harmonize port tariffs and resolve operational bottlenecks. The move is designed to stabilize Nigeria’s maritime economy amid rising global costs.

The engagement, led by Committee Chairman Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, follows an appeal from the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) for legislative mediation. Dasuki described the dialogue as a strategic bridge between the financial demands of service providers and the economic realities of port users.

Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, confirmed that a 30 percent tariff increase for shipping lines has been approved. This adjustment ends a two-year freeze on price reviews.

Pius explained that while some stakeholders argue the 30 percent cap falls below current inflation levels, it remains the maximum allowable adjustment to protect the broader economic interest. The increase will be implemented gradually through further negotiations between shipping companies and their customers.

To ensure future transparency, the NSC is developing an automated tariff system. This platform will align pricing adjustments with prevailing economic indicators, such as inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

Boma Alabi, OON, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria, highlighted critical challenges impacting vessel turnaround times.

To strengthen Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, SAN is advocating for enhanced Port Security and reducing physical risks to vessels and personnel, Inter-Agency Synergy by Streamlining oversight to prevent conflicting mandates between government bodies, Liability Frameworks with Defining clear responsibilities to prevent shipping companies from incurring undue financial penalties, Stakeholder Consensus the session drew participation from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

The diverse attendance underscored a collective commitment to resolving the industry’s pricing friction and closing the session, Dasuki issued a one-week mandate for the Shippers’ Council to convene a follow-up meeting. The committee called for clearly defined timelines to ensure the smooth implementation of the resolutions.