The Nigerian Shippers Council has directed all shipping lines and their respective agencies to immediately suspend the implementation of the recently approved tariffs.
The council announced this in a statement on Friday obtained by PUNCH Online.
According to the statement, the directive is in pursuant to the ongoing engagements with critical stakeholders and in response to concerns raised regarding the timing, structure, and potential impact of the said tariffs on port users and the wider logistics value chain.
“In order to safeguard fair competition, transparency, and sectoral stability, the council considers it necessary to halt further implementation pending the conclusion of comprehensive consultations and regulatory review,” the statement read in part.
The council stressed that all affected operators, “are mandated to revert to, and apply strictly, the tariff regime that was in force immediately prior to the said increase.”
The NSC warned that any deviation from this directive shall constitute a breach of regulatory compliance and will attract appropriate sanctions in line with extant laws and regulations.
“The council will, upon conclusion of stakeholder consultations and internal review processes, communicate a definitive position on the matter,” it added.
The council reiterated its commitment to effective economic regulation, protection of cargo interests, and the promotion of an efficient and equitable maritime transport system.
“All operators are hereby enjoined to ensure strict and immediate compliance,” it concluded.
PUNCH Online reported on Thursday that freight forwarders across Lagos ports have vowed to resist any increase in charges by shipping companies.
This is even as the aggrieved agents on Wednesday staged a protest at the offices of major shipping lines in Apapa, Lagos, rejecting the recent increment in shipping charges.
The protest, which began at MSC Shipping’s office along Commercial Road, Apapa, was also held at Lagos and Niger Shipping Company and Pacific International Lines, leading to a total shutdown of business operations at the respective shipping companies.
It was gathered that while the protest was ongoing, efforts by the leadership of NSC to engage the freight forwarders were resisted, as the aggrieved agents insisted that there would be no dialogue until an immediate reversal of the hiked charges.
