The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has revealed that it recovered more than N197 billion on behalf of shippers and other port users in 2025.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the council made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos through the council’s Public Relations Officer, Rebecca Adamu.
He said NSC documented a total of 183 complaints from port users throughout the four quarters of 2025, a development he described as evidence of sustained engagement by stakeholders seeking regulatory action.
According to Executive Secretary , 108 of the problems were successfully addressed through the council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanism, which handled issues including arbitrary charges, delays in container deposit refunds, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation-related lapses.
However ,he noted that most of the issues were directed at shipping companies and their agents, with disputes over arbitrary charges and container deposit refunds topping the list.
Giving the breakdown of the council’s recoveries, Akutah said that in the first quarter, the NSC secured more than N62.8 million and $15,964, equivalent to about N24.4 million, following its intervention in 41 complaints.
“This brought the total amount recovered within the quarter to about N87.2 million. Out of the 41 complaints received, 22 were resolved, 14 remained ongoing, four were placed on Keep in View, KIV, status, while one case was closed,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the majority of the concerns during the period were lodged against shipping companies and their agents, particularly over issues relating to arbitrary charges and container deposit refunds.
Therefore, Akutah further stated that the second quarter (April to June) recorded the highest recovery, with the council securing more than N175.8 billion and $30,000, about N45.9 million, for affected stakeholders.
“Within the quarter, the council received 40 complaints, of which 21 were resolved, 18 remained under review, while one case was closed without resolution,” he stated.
The third quarter, the NSC recovered more than N2.059 billion through regulatory interventions involving disputes over container deposit refunds, demurrage, cargo damage, missing containers and documentation disputes.
Out of the 46 complaints recorded during the quarter, 26 were successfully resolved, while the remaining cases were subjected to further verification by the council,” Akutah added.
For the fourth quarter, the council reported recoveries exceeding N16.3 million and $39,779.02, equivalent to about N60.8 million, for port users.
Akutah said 39 of the 56 complaints received during the period were resolved, while 14 cases were still being processed, two were closed, and one was placed on ‘Keep in View’ status
The Executive Secretary emphasised that the council’s interventions were carried out strictly within its statutory responsibility of protecting the interests of shippers and ensuring greater transparency in port operations.
He urged port users and other maritime stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue reporting any service infractions to the council for prompt regulatory reaction.
