Maritime industry stakeholders have called on the federal government to suspend the recently implemented 15 percent tariff hike in port charges, warning that the increase threatens Nigeria’s competitiveness and could drive cargo traffic to neighboring countries.
The Shipping, Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SSACFEA) made the appeal at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, where its president, Boma Alabi, criticized the government’s failure to consult industry operators before implementing the new tariffs.
Alabi expressed frustration over the lack of stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process, arguing that a hike in charges without due consultation could cripple the shipping sector.
“We were not informed about the charges before the government implemented them,” Alabi said. “The government should try to make the ports competitive and attractive, which can be achieved through a reduction of port charges.”
She noted that Nigeria already loses significant cargo traffic to ports in neighboring countries due to high costs, warning that the new tariff hike would worsen the situation.
According to Alabi, Nigerian ports are among the most expensive in the region, a major deterrent for shipping lines. She provided a stark comparison of port charges, stating that while it costs $15,000 for ships to dock at some ports, Nigerian ports demand as much as $150,000.
The new tariff, she added, further inflates costs for importers.
“Before the implementation of the 15 percent port charges, bringing in a 40ft container already cost an additional N100,000, while a 20ft container cost N55,000,” she explained. “Now, with the tariff hike, it costs an additional N290,000 for a 40ft container and N145,000 for a 20ft container.”
Alabi compared these costs with other global ports, noting that while Singapore charges $29,000 for ship berthing, Abidjan charges $60,000, and China $35,000, Nigerian ports charge as much as $35,000, despite inferior infrastructure.
To address these challenges, Alabi recommended that the government reconsider port charges and introduce policies that would make Nigeria’s ports more attractive for global trade. She suggested re-dollarizing port charges for imports and exports, as well as investing in port expansion and infrastructure upgrades.
She stressed that neighboring countries, such as Ghana and Togo, have capitalized on Nigeria’s inefficiencies, drawing business away from the country.
Ramesh Saraf, deputy managing director of CMA CGM, echoed these concerns, calling for urgent government intervention to support the maritime industry. He highlighted the declining cargo volume at Nigerian ports compared to regional competitors.
“Tema Port’s Terminal C handled 1.9 million TEUs in 2024, while Nigerian ports managed just 1.2 million TEUs,” Saraf stated. “Lekki Deep Sea Port, which started operations in April 2023, is running at less than half capacity due to high operational costs—three times higher than in other global ports.”
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) justified the tariff increase, stating that it was the first in 32 years and was necessary to fund infrastructure upgrades and equipment modernization. The NPA secured the required approvals on February 6, arguing that the adjustments would improve efficiency in the long run.
However, industry players insist that the policy, if not reviewed, will stifle growth and push Nigeria further behind its regional competitors in maritime trade.
