NSC Confronts Corrupt Shipping Companies Headlong
NSC Confronts Corrupt Shipping Companies Headlong
…Recovers 527 billion from fraudulent terminal operators
By Okezie Nnadi
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recovered over N527 billion from shipping companies and terminal operators last year following disputes with local stakeholders over billing charges, refund issues, trade disagreements, fraud, legal and contractual disputes, cargo damage, service quality issues and cargo loss or misplacement.
One of the most notable cases handled by the council involved a dispute between Maersk Nigeria Limited and J.M. Goma International Limited regarding the short shipment of 21 export containers of soybeans.
Due to an oversight, one container was left behind in Nigeria, leading to depreciation in cargo quality and forcing J.M. Goma to offer the importer a 50 per cent discount.
Following tripartite mediation led by the NSC’s Chairman and Head of the Complaints Unit, Dr Bashir Ambi Mohammed, Maersk Nigeria refunded $14,585 to the complainant for demurrage and storage charges. Additionally, Maersk India paid $1,833 as detention charges.
An exclusive analysis provided by Mohammed revealed that the council saved N121.1 million in the first quarter, N1.47 billion in the second quarter, and N525.5 billion in the fourth quarter.
The council reported handling 149 complaints in 2024 from various stakeholders in the shipping industry.
Shipping companies accounted for 71 per cent of all complaints in Q4 making them the most frequently reported entities.
In the first two quarters, the council recorded 75 complaints, while the last quarter alone saw 74 complaints.
Other entities that faced complaints included terminal operators, shippers (importers/exporters), logistics service providers, government regulators and port operators.
However, industry stakeholders remain divided on the broader impact of these interventions.
While some commend the council’s efforts, freight forwarders question whether its actions have significantly improved business dynamics.
The National Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Frank Obiekezie, argued that while shippers may be benefiting, freight forwarders have yet to experience significant improvements in their operational conditions.
He noted that reduced demurrage costs do not necessarily translate into structural changes in how freight forwarders interact with shipping companies.
On the other hand, a key figure in the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS), Nicodemus Odolo, praised the council’s actions against unlawful charges.
He emphasised that while comprehensive data is lacking, shippers have experienced tangible financial relief, particularly from the council’s crackdown on excessive fees imposed by shipping firms.
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