Shippers Council Clarifies WACT Tariff Hike , Dismisses APFFLON Misleading Claims

By Roland Ekama 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reacted to the tariff increment by West African Container Terminal ( WACT), stating that the hike received approval after due consultation.

According to the NSC, the tariff adjustment by WACT was duly reviewed and followed due process before approval was granted.

WACT had in a notice weekend announced an 8% hike in terminal handling charges and a 100% rise in storage handling charge, which is set to take effect from April 1st.

In a statement, the NSC management said the clarification becomes necessary to set the record straight and avoid any misinformation.

“The attention of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been drawn to recent
publications making rounds on social media concerning the tariff review approval issued to the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in 2021 and 2023.

“As the economic regulator of the port sector, the Council considers it necessary to set the record straight and provide clarifications to avoid any misinformation.

” The Council’s approval is within industry benchmark and the tariff increment implemented by WACT was duly reviewed and approved by the NSC.

“The review was conducted following rigorous assessment processes to ensure that the rates remain within the acceptable industry benchmark and align with prevailing economic realities.

“It is pertinent to note that the NSC, in its regulatory capacity, ensures that all approved tariff adjustments are fair, justifiable, and sustainable for both service providers and port users. ”

The port economic regulator, in defense of WACT added that the terminal operator consulted with registered clearing agents in Onne prior to implementing the new tariff structure.

“According to WACT, before the implementation of the new tariff structure, WACT engaged extensively with the leadership of registered clearing agents in Onne, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents.

“The discussions led to a mutual agreement that the implementation would be phased to ease the impact on port users.

“In adherence to this agreement, WACT
initially implemented the first phase of the tariff increment, which was accepted
by the service users.

“Following due consultations and considerations, the final phase of the agreed increment was scheduled for implementation after a one-month and two-week notice period given to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and adequate preparation, the statement said.

The NSC also dismissed claims by the Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria ( APFFLON) in the sensitization programme as misleading.

“According to WACT, APFFLON has, for two years, failed to obtain an introductory letter from the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), which is a prerequisite for recognition as an agent.

“As such, their inability to participate in the stakeholder engagement process was due to their non-compliance with regulatory requirements and not an act of exclusion by WACT.

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to its mandate of ensuring fair and competitive practices in the port sector while balancing the interests of terminal operators and port users.

“We urge stakeholders to engage C constructively and in accordance with regulatory frameworks to enhance efficiency in our port operations, ” the NSC stated.