Fresh talks between the Federal Government and key players in the maritime sector over a proposed increase in shipping tariffs have ended in a deadlock, following fresh demands by shipping companies for additional charges.
The negotiations, convened in Lagos by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services, were aimed at resolving lingering disputes after the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) suspended its earlier plan to implement a 30 per cent tariff hike and opted for broader stakeholder consultations.
However, discussions stalled as shipping firms rejected the 30 per cent ceiling proposed by the Council, insisting on higher adjustments.
The companies cited rising inflation, increasing operational costs, foreign exchange volatility, and global shipping pressures as reasons the current tariff regime is no longer sustainable.
Speaking after a closed-door session, Chairman of the Committee, Abdusamad Dasuki, disclosed that a fresh round of stakeholder engagement has been scheduled within the next two weeks to address unresolved issues.
He explained that the Committee has directed the NSC, shipping firms, and other stakeholders to identify and resolve grey areas, while also establishing timelines for further engagements.
‘We expect that at the next meeting, there will be a clear framework, including timelines and participation of regulatory representatives, to guide the process towards implementation,’ Dasuki said.
He added that a new implementation date for any agreed tariff adjustment would be announced after consultations are concluded.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that although the Council had approved a 30 per cent increase, it was suspended following resistance from stakeholders.
Akutah maintained that the adjustment remains necessary, noting that there has been no tariff increment in the sector for over two years.
He added that the Council had proposed a phased implementation approach, with the 30 per cent serving as an upper limit.
According to him, most stakeholders agreed on the need for a tariff review but differed on the scale, with shipping companies arguing that the proposed rate falls below prevailing inflation levels.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the talks, stating that no meaningful progress had been made.
Alabi called for the establishment of a transparent and consistent mechanism for tariff review, similar to frameworks used in other regulated sectors such as telecommunications and energy.
She criticized what she described as ‘mixed signals’ from the NSC, particularly regarding individual tariff approvals granted to some operators, noting that this had complicated the negotiation process.
The deadlock shows the ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s maritime industry, as regulators and operators struggle to balance economic realities with the need to maintain competitive and efficient port services.