Shippers’ Council Secures N197bn Refunds For Port Users In 2025

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced the recovery of over N197 billion for shippers and port users in 2025, underscoring the Council’s commitment to protecting the interests of cargo owners and promoting transparency in the maritime sector.

According to the Council’s 2025 performance review contained in its quarterly newsletter, the NSC received a total of 183 complaints across the four quarters of the year.

The Council disclosed that 108 of the complaints were successfully resolved through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework.

The interventions addressed issues such as arbitrary charges, delays in container deposit refunds, cargo damage, missing containers, and documentation lapses.

The NSC noted that most of the complaints were filed against shipping companies and their agents, with arbitrary charges and container deposit refund disputes ranking as the most common issues.

A breakdown of recoveries in the first quarter (January-March 2025) showed that the Council recovered over N62.8 million and $15,964 (about N24.4 million) for port users after intervening in 41 complaints received during the period. This brought the total value recovered in the quarter to approximately N87.2 million.

Of the 41 complaints received in the first quarter, 22 were resolved, 14 are ongoing, four were placed on “Keep in View” (KIV) status, and one was closed.

Between April and June 2025, the Council recorded its highest quarterly savings, securing over N175.8 billion and $30,000 (about N45.9 million) for stakeholders through its dispute resolution interventions.

Within the quarter, it received 40 complaints and resolved 21, while 18 remained ongoing and one was closed without resolution.

In the third quarter (July–September 2025), the NSC recovered over N2.059 billion through interventions on complaints involving container deposit refunds, demurrage and detention, cargo damage, missing containers, and documentation lapses.

Out of 46 complaints received, 26 were successfully resolved, with the remaining undergoing further verification.

In the fourth quarter (October–December 2025), the council recovered over N16.3 million and $39,779.02 (about N60.8 million) on behalf of port users, while resolving 39 out of 56 complaints received within the period.

14 cases were ongoing, two were closed, and one was classified as Keep In View (KIV).