The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it recovered more than N197 billion for shippers and port users in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and protecting maritime stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, confirmed this in a statement by 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 arbitrary charges and container deposit refund disputes 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.
‘This brought the total value recovered in the quarter to about N87.2 million. Of the 41 complaints received, 22 were resolved, 14 ongoing, four placed on KIV status and one closed.
“The majority of complaints were lodged against shipping companies and their agents, with arbitrary charges and container deposit refund disputes ranking highest’, he said.
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.
‘Within the quarter, we received 40 complaints and resolved 21, while 18 remained ongoing and one was closed without resolution’, he said.
He added that in the third quarter, the council recovered over N2.059 billion through interventions on complaints involving container deposit refunds, demurrage, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation lapses.
‘Out of 46 complaints received in the quarter, 26 were successfully resolved, while the remaining cases underwent further verification’, Akutah said.
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.
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 and stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue reporting service infractions to the council for prompt regulatory action.
