Lagos Port Crisis: Freight Agents Protest Shipping Charge Hike, Demand Reversal
Freight forwarders operating at Lagos ports have launched widespread protests against recent increases in shipping charges, effectively shutting down operations at major shipping companies' offices in Apapa. The demonstrators are demanding an immediate reversal of the new tariffs before engaging in any dialogue with stakeholders.
Protest Disrupts Major Shipping Operations
The protest action began on Wednesday at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office along Commercial Road in Apapa and quickly spread to other prominent shipping firms including Lagos and Niger Shipping Company and Pacific International Lines. Business activities came to a complete halt as freight forwarders blocked access to these offices, vowing to maintain the shutdown until their demands are met.
Industry leaders have criticized shipping companies for implementing the charge increase despite regulatory guidance to suspend such adjustments. Femi Anifowose, Zonal Coordinator (Western Zone) of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, emphasized that shipping firms failed to comply with a directive from the Nigerian Shippers' Council to suspend the hike and engage with stakeholders properly.
Concerns Over Lack of Consultation and Regulatory Compliance
Frank Ogunojemitew, National President of the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, highlighted that the increment was introduced without adequate consultation with industry stakeholders. According to Ogunojemitew, freight forwarders consider this move unfair and have called for proper discussions to understand the rationale behind the increase.
Abayomi Duyile, representing the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, noted that the increase contradicts earlier agreements to suspend any adjustments pending further consultations. He revealed that stakeholders had been awaiting a meeting with regulators for over a month while shipping companies proceeded with implementing the new rates.
Shipping Company Response and Regulatory Tension
In response to the allegations, Jake Iosso, Managing Director of MSC Nigeria, stated that the regulator did not issue a formal written directive to halt the increase. While confirming that the Nigerian Shippers' Council had verbally advised shipping firms to suspend implementation pending broader engagement, Iosso emphasized that no formal written notice was received.
Efforts by the Nigerian Shippers' Council to engage with protesters during the demonstration proved unsuccessful, as freight forwarders insisted on a complete reversal of charges before any dialogue. A source within the council criticized the conduct of protesters, noting that officials were prevented from accessing the MSC premises to mediate the situation.
Potential Consequences and Industry Context
The council source warned that the ongoing disruption could lead to additional costs for all parties involved, including demurrage charges resulting from delays caused by the protest. This development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria's ports recording historic growth in 2025, with total cargo throughput rising 24.8% to over 129 million metric tons.
The growth was driven by higher exports, imports, and container traffic, reflecting the federal government's push for economic diversification. Lekki Port led the nation's ports in cargo handling and received the largest vessels, while Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports handled significant shipping traffic. The current protest threatens to disrupt this positive momentum in Nigeria's maritime sector.
