NSC Saves Importers N90.6 Billion by Recovering Illegal Port Charges in 29 Months
NSC Saves Importers N90.6 Billion by Recovering Illegal Port Charges in 29 Months
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced that it recovered more than ₦90.6 billion in illegal port charges, providing significant financial relief to importers and contributing to Nigeria’s economy through regulatory and dispute resolution efforts.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, disclosed that the recoveries were made between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2026 through the Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and other regulatory interventions.
According to him, the Council prevented unjustified demurrage payments amounting to ₦86.06 billion, while securing additional savings of ₦4.54 billion and $1.348 million for shippers and businesses operating within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Akutah explained that the Council received 558 complaints during the review period and successfully resolved 295 disputes involving container deposits, demurrage, detention fees, terminal charges, cargo claims, export fraud, and other commercial issues affecting importers and exporters.
He added that the NSC facilitated several out-of-court settlements involving major maritime operators over charges that exceeded approved tariffs. The interventions helped reduce litigation, protect the interests of cargo owners, and improve confidence in Nigeria’s port regulatory system.
Akutah described Alternative Dispute Resolution as one of the Council’s most effective tools for protecting shippers while reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
Beyond the financial recoveries, he said the Council is implementing reforms to transform the organisation into a technology-driven regulator through digital innovation, improved institutional capacity, and enhanced service delivery.
He added that the NSC will continue to strengthen port economic regulation, promote trade facilitation, improve consumer protection, accelerate digital transformation, and support multimodal transportation as part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s maritime sector and overall economic growth.
