The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has directed shipping companies, shipping agents and terminal operators at the nation’s ports to suspend any review or upward adjustment of their charges until they have fully engaged relevant stakeholders.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Public Relations at the Council, Rebecca Adamu, the Council, Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, clarified that recent tariff adjustments were approved strictly in line with its statutory mandate and followed due regulatory process.

According to the NSC, all tariff reviews were carried out through a transparent and structured framework that involved extensive technical and consultative engagements with affected service providers. These engagements, the Council said, examined key issues such as cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations and regulatory compliance.

The Council stressed that the consultative sessions did not amount to automatic approval of tariff increases. Rather, they were part of a broader evaluative process, with final decisions reached only after rigorous internal, technical and financial assessments based on empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks and prevailing economic conditions.

Despite this, the NSC directed shipping companies and agents to immediately suspend any planned review of charges until they have adequately consulted and engaged their stakeholders.

“Shipping companies/agents are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders.

“As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations,” the statement warned.

The Council reiterated that transparency, fairness and stakeholder participation remain core principles guiding port economic regulation in Nigeria.

Speaking on the directive, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, warned that the NSC is empowered to apply appropriate sanctions against defaulting operators.

He said enforcement measures, as provided under relevant regulatory frameworks, would be deployed against any service provider that proceeds with charge reviews without proper stakeholder engagement.

While encouraging constructive dialogue and compliance, Akutah assured port users and industry stakeholders that the Council remains committed to protecting their interests, promoting fair competition and ensuring a stable and predictable business environment within Nigeria’s maritime industry.