The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recovered over ₦197 billion for shippers and port users in 2025, demonstrating its commitment to protecting maritime stakeholders and ensuring transparency.
The Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, confirmed this in a statement issued through the council’s Public Relations Officer, Rebecca Adamu, on Thursday in Lagos.
Akutah said the council received 183 complaints across the four quarters of 2025, reflecting continued engagement by port users seeking regulatory intervention.
He explained that 108 complaints were resolved through the council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution framework, addressing arbitrary charges, delayed container deposit refunds, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation lapses.
Akutah noted that most complaints were filed against shipping companies and their agents, with disputes over arbitrary charges and container deposit refunds ranking highest.
According to him, in the first quarter, the council recovered over N62.8 million and $15,964, about N24.4 million, following interventions on 41 complaints. Compared to subsequent quarters, this amount was lower than the record recoveries seen later in the year.
“This brought the total value recovered in the quarter to about N87.2 million. Of the 41 complaints received, 22 were resolved, 14 are ongoing, four were placed on KIV status, and one was closed.
He reiterated that shipping companies and their agents were frequently cited, primarily for arbitrary charges and for disputes over container deposit refunds.
Akutah said between April and June, the council recorded its highest quarterly recovery, securing over N175.8 billion and $30,000, about N45.9 million, for stakeholders—significantly exceeding the amounts recovered in other quarters.
Within the quarter, 40 complaints were received; 21 were resolved, 18 are ongoing, and one was closed without resolution.
He added that in the third quarter, the council recovered over N2.059 billion, an improvement over the first quarter but far less than the record second quarter, through interventions on complaints involving container deposit refunds, demurrage, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation lapses.
Of 46 complaints, 26 were resolved, and the remaining cases were undergoing further verification.
The NSC boss explained that in the fourth quarter, the council recovered over N16.3 million and $39,779.02, about N60.8 million, for port users. Although this was an improvement over the first quarter, it remained well below the second- and third-quarter recoveries.
He said 39 of the 56 complaints received within the quarter were resolved, while 14 cases remained ongoing, two were closed, and one was placed on “Keep in View” status.
Akutah said the council’s interventions aligned strictly with its statutory mandate to safeguard shippers’ interests and promote transparency in port operations.
He urged port users to remain vigilant and continue reporting service infractions to ensure the council takes prompt action.