Agents to engage shipping companies over hike in charges

Licensed customs agents have concluded plans to engage with the management of the CMA CGM Shipping company over the recent hike in charges on Nigeria-bound cargoes.

The shipping company in a notice sighted by The PUNCH on Monday, March 6th, states that effective from Monday, March 10th, the company will be reviewing their charges upwards.

In the notice titled ‘Update on local charges due to NPA port & Marine fee adjustment,’ the company blamed the development on the recent port tariff hikes by the NPA.

The notice read in part, “We are writing to inform you of a review of our charges following the recent increase in Port and Marine charges implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority, which came into effect March 1, 2025. As a result of such adjustment, we find it necessary to update our tariff structure to account for the new cost environment, effective March 10, 2025.”

Giving details of the increase, the company explained that under the review, a 20ft container will now be charged N145,327 while a 40ft container will attract N290,654.

“A 20ft Reefer container will attract N145,327 while a 40ft Reefer container will attract N290,654,” it stated.

However, the National Protocol Officer of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Amuni Riwane, condemned the increase. He said the ethics committee of the association would be engaging the shipping companies on Monday.

“Our own ethics committee will be meeting with the shipping companies today to know the way forward. The increase is going to affect operations; it’s like adding salt to an injury. The economic situation is already harsh. So we are going to engage them today,” Riwane said.

Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Shipping and Terminals of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr.Nnadi Ugochukwu, admitted that though they have not been notified of the increase, they will be engaging the shipping companies if need be.

“We at NAGAFF are not aware of that yet; we have not been notified. You know, in Nigeria, everyone increases tariffs; NEPA has increased, and for a lot of people, that is what the government wants. But when we get to the bridge, we will cross.

“Of course, it will affect operations in the port because every additional cost will add to the cost of doing business. When the time is due, we will engage the shipping companies; we have to engage them when we get the information,” Nnadi said.

The President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, Frank Ogunojemite, said the group would also be engaging the shipping company.

“Yes, we will also be engaging them today. All efforts to engage with the management of NPA since they are the people encouraging these people to increase has not yielded any positive results,” Ogunojemite said.

He lamented that the increment will cripple the purchasing power of the common man and further increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

“Shipping and terminal charges are critical components of the logistics and supply chain management process. Increases in these charges can have far-reaching effects on various stakeholders, including having effects on Importers and Exporters via Increased costs,” Ogunojemite said.

A clearing agent, Mr. Ikenna Ejiogu, said that higher shipping and terminal charges will lead to increased costs for importers and exporters, which will be passed on to consumers.

“Businesses may experience reduced profit margins due to higher logistics costs. This can make Nigerian businesses less competitive in the global market,” Ejiogu said.