NAGAFF Compliance Team Cautions Shipping Lines Over Unilateral Charge Hike
Shipping companies operating at Nigeria’s seaports have been warned against implementing immediate and unilateral increases in shipping charges without proper engagement with industry stakeholders.
The caution was issued by the Compliance Team under the Office of the Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in a letter dated March 4, 2026, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council at Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos.
In the letter signed by the National Coordinator of the Compliance Team, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko, the association described the action as an administrative overreach and a violation of established procedures regulating maritime and logistics tariffs.
According to the group, some shipping companies introduced the higher charges without prior consultation, transparency, or compliance with statutory guidelines governing tariff adjustments within the maritime industry.
The compliance team maintained that the increase appeared arbitrary, noting that it was not backed by economic impact assessments, stakeholder consultations, or a transparent review process involving relevant regulatory authorities.
NAGAFF also stated that freight forwarders, importers, and other port users were not given adequate notice before the charges were introduced, describing the move as a breach of due process meant to safeguard supply chain stability and protect the interests of consignees and industry operators.
The association further recalled that the Shipping Companies Association of Nigeria had earlier assured stakeholders that consultations would precede any adjustment in charges but allegedly failed to do so before implementing the new rates.
It warned that continued enforcement of what it termed unauthorized charges could destabilize Nigeria’s maritime trade environment and potentially breach existing competition and consumer protection regulations.
Consequently, the compliance team urged the affected shipping companies to suspend or reverse the increments pending a lawful, transparent, and consultative review process.
The group added that failure to comply could result in formal petitions to relevant maritime authorities as well as possible industrial actions, including picketing or sealing of affected shipping lines starting from Monday, March 9, 2026.
Copies of the letter were also sent to shipping lines operating in Nigerian ports, the Commissioner of Police for Western Ports, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Apapa Command.
The development is likely to intensify ongoing debates over port charges and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly around the busy Apapa port corridor.
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