APFFLON petitions Tinubu over hike in port charges by shipping companies, terminal operators

•Decries cargo diversion to neighbouring countries

By Steve Agbota    

The Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over the incessant approval of shipping companies’ and terminal operators’ charges by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

The association said that the hike in charges has also contributed to cargo diversion to neighbouring countries, loss of government revenue, and a weakening of confidence in Nigeria’s maritime regulatory framework.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, APFFLON President Frank Ogunojemite said that the continued escalation of port charges has placed an unbearable burden on importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, and ultimately Nigerian consumers.

“On behalf of APFFLON, and in my capacity as its National President, I respectfully write to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the growing concern within the maritime and logistics sector over the frequent approvals of increased charges by shipping companies and terminal operators, as endorsed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC),” he said.

According to him, these approvals are being granted without adequate consideration of their far-reaching implications on the national economy, trade competitiveness, inflationary pressures, and the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

“This development clearly runs contrary to the avowed agenda of the Federal Government to reduce the cost of port operations, enhance ease of doing business, and position Nigerian ports as competitive hubs within the sub-region. We are further compelled to note, with deep concern, that this apparent compromise in regulatory oversight coincided with the period when the leadership of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council shifted from the tradition of appointing seasoned professionals within the organisation such as the exemplary tenure of Barrister Hassan Bello to appointments from outside the institution,” he said.

He said this departure from institutional continuity appears to have weakened the Council’s resolve to firmly protect shippers and the national interest, as originally mandated by its establishing Act.

APFFLON firmly believes that the Nigeria Shippers’ Council should function as a true economic regulator and protector of shippers, not merely as an approval channel for cost increases proposed by shipping and terminal operators.

He said regulatory decisions must be transparent, consultative, data-driven, and aligned with national economic objectives.

“In light of the foregoing, we respectfully appeal to the Federal Government to review and halt the indiscriminate approval of shipping and terminal charges, direct a comprehensive audit of all recently approved port charges and their economic impact, strengthen the regulatory independence and capacity of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council in line with its statutory mandate and reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing port costs and restoring stakeholder confidence in the maritime sector.

“Your Excellency’s timely intervention will go a long way in safeguarding the national economy, supporting local industries, and ensuring that Nigeria’s ports remain competitive and investor-friendly,” he added.