The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has revealed that it recovered over N197 billion on behalf of shippers and other port users in 2025.
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The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement issued in Lagos through the council’s Public Relations Officer, Rebecca Adamu.
Akutah noted that the council received a total of 183 complaints from port users over the four quarters of 2025, describing this as evidence of sustained engagement by stakeholders seeking regulatory intervention.
According to him, 108 of the complaints were successfully addressed through the council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanism, which handled issues including arbitrary charges, delays in container deposit refunds, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation-related lapses.
He noted that most of the complaints were directed at shipping companies and their agents, with disputes over arbitrary charges and container deposit refunds topping the list.
Providing a breakdown of the council’s recoveries, Akutah said that in the first quarter, the NSC secured more than N62.8 million and $15,964, equivalent to about N24.4 million, following its intervention in 41 complaints.
“This brought the total amount recovered within the quarter to about N87.2 million. Out of the 41 complaints received, 22 were resolved, 14 remained ongoing, four were placed on Keep in View, KIV, status, while one case was closed,” he said.
He reiterated that the majority of the complaints during the period were lodged against shipping companies and their agents, particularly over issues relating to arbitrary charges and container deposit refunds.
Akutah further explained that the second quarter (April to June) recorded the highest recovery, with the council securing more than N175.8 billion and $30,000, about N45.9 million, for affected stakeholders.
“Within the quarter, the council received 40 complaints, of which 21 were resolved, 18 remained under review, while one case was closed without resolution,” he stated.
In the third quarter, the NSC recovered more than N2.059 billion through regulatory interventions involving disputes over container deposit refunds, demurrage, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation issues.
“Out of the 46 complaints recorded during the quarter, 26 were successfully resolved, while the remaining cases were subjected to further verification by the council,” Akutah added.
For the fourth quarter, the council reported recoveries exceeding N16.3 million and $39,779.02, equivalent to about N60.8 million, for port users.
Akutah said 39 of the 56 complaints received during the period were resolved, while 14 cases were still being processed, two were closed, and one was placed on ‘Keep in View’ status.
He emphasised that the NSC’s interventions were carried out strictly within its statutory responsibility of protecting the interests of shippers and ensuring greater transparency in port operations.
Akutah also encouraged port users and other maritime stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue reporting any service infractions to the council for prompt regulatory response.
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