Akutah condemns port disruption, promotes dialogue in shipping tariff row

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has urged freight forwarders to adopt dialogue and constructive engagement in resolving disputes following the picketing of the offices of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over a recent tariff increase.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Akutah Pius, made the appeal while reacting to the protest action, warning that industrial unrest within the maritime sector could disrupt port operations and weaken national trade performance.

Protesting Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders had staged a protest at MSC premises to oppose the new shipping charges, insisting there was no basis for dialogue and vowing to continue the action until the tariff increment is reversed.

Despite efforts by the Council to initiate discussions between the parties, the protesters reportedly declined engagement, maintaining their stance against negotiations.

Akutah emphasised that dialogue remains the most effective and modern dispute resolution mechanism, describing it as faster, more humane and more productive than confrontational approaches.

While acknowledging the right of stakeholders to express grievances, he criticised what he termed unprofessional conduct by some protesters, particularly the obstruction of regulatory officials attempting to access the MSC facility to mediate the dispute.

He recalled that during a similar protest over the same tariff adjustment weeks earlier, the Council intervened and persuaded MSC to suspend the collection of the disputed charges for two days to allow room for negotiations.

Reaffirming the Council’s statutory role, Akutah said the agency remains committed to fostering fair practices and stability in the maritime industry by mediating between shipping companies and freight forwarders.

He warned that prolonged disputes risk slowing cargo clearance, increasing logistics costs and undermining investor confidence in Nigeria’s port system.