The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has dismissed recent allegations by the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) regarding increased charges at Onne Port, operated by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT). The Council labeled the claims as misleading and clarified that APFFLON’s absence from key discussions stemmed from its failure to meet regulatory requirements.
In a detailed statement, the NSC confirmed that WACT’s tariff adjustments in 2021 and 2023 underwent strict reviews and were approved only after thorough evaluations. The changes, the Council noted, were in line with industry benchmarks and current economic realities.
“The tariff increases by WACT were subject to rigorous evaluation by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as part of our regulatory function as the economic overseer of the port sector. All approved adjustments were designed to ensure fairness to both service providers and port users,” the statement read.
Stakeholder Engagement & Phased Implementation
The NSC revealed that WACT held extensive consultations with registered clearing agents at Onne Port, including prominent industry groups like the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN). These talks resulted in a consensus to introduce the tariff hike in stages, easing the burden on port users.
“Following this agreement, WACT initiated the first phase of the tariff increase, which was accepted by the stakeholders. The final phase of the increase was scheduled after a one-month and two-week notice to ensure adequate preparation and transparency,” the NSC added.
Why APFFLON Was Excluded
Responding to APFFLON’s complaints about being left out of discussions, the NSC explained that the association had not secured the mandatory introductory letter from the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). Without this document, APFFLON could not be recognized as an official agent, barring it from stakeholder negotiations.
The NSC stressed that the exclusion was due to APFFLON’s own failure to comply with regulations, not deliberate sidelining by WACT.
Commitment to Fair Port Operations
Reaffirming its dedication to transparency, the NSC pledged to maintain a balanced and competitive port environment.
“We continue to support transparent operations and urge all stakeholders to engage constructively within the framework of established regulations to ensure efficient port operations,” the Council stated.
