Nigerian Shippers Council || N.S.C

Welcome to Nigerian Shippers' Council
The Nigerian Shippers' Council is the port economic regulator in the maritime and transport industry. Our primary responsibility is to facilitate trade and to protect the interest of Nigerian Shippers by promoting fair trade practices and ensuring shipping companies comply with approved standard operating procedures.
Read More
The Reviewed Port Concession Agreements
The Nigerian Shippers' Council has succeeded in ensuring that economic regulation is entrenched in the reviewed seaport terminal Concession Agreements. The Council is now recognized as the Port Economic Regulator in the Concession Agreement. This would put to rest the defiance by some stakeholders and private operators in the port, for the Council to carry out its statutory mandate, which had in the past grossly frustrated the effective implementation of the port economic regulatory regime.
Promote the Digitalization and Automation of all Port Processes
In order to reduce the incidences of human contact with cargoes and abolish manual documentation for efficient service delivery, the In order to reduce cost, incidences of human contact with cargoes and abolish manual documentation for efficient service delivery, the Council is promoting the digitalization and automation of all port processes in Nigeria. This digitalization of port processes include cargo release and submission of manifest. Most regulated service providers are fully digitalized.
Guidelines On Setting And Modification Of Tariffs, Rates And Charges For Service Providers In The Nigerian Port Sector
The Nigerian Shippers' Council received requests from shipping lines and seaport terminal operators for a review of the tariffs, rates and charges taking into consideration the fact that there had not been any review for over 10 (ten) years. Consequently, the Council reviewed the requests in line with the Guidelines for Tariffs, Rates and Charges. This review was approved by the Honourable Minister of Transportation.
Click to view Guidelines
Implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)
On the 15th February, 2023, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the reintroduction of the ICTN in Nigeria.
Lead Agency in the implementation of Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM)
The Nigerian Shippers' Council, in its role as the Lead Agency for the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM), supervises the activities of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT). The activities of the PSTT focused on three cardinal areas, which are: • Joint Boarding of Vessels & Rummaging. • Joint Cargo Examination. • Operation Free the Ports Corridors. The activities of the team saved the Nigerian economy an average vessel demurrage of $20, 000 per day between year 2021 and 2022, which ultimately translates to the sum of $12,350,000 which is over 5.4 Billion naira.
Handling and Resolution of Complaints
The Council handles the following issues and complaints from stakeholders amongst others: Arbitrary general increase in charges; Punitive specific increase in container deposit rate; Refusal to pay or delay in paying container deposit refund; Unnecessary delay in receiving returned empty containers leading to avoidable cost against the shipper; Refusal by consignees/Agents to pay demurrage/Charges for services rendered; Post shipment imposition of unfair terms on consignees and agents.
Facilitation of Inland Dry Ports
The development of Inland Dry Ports across the country was an initiative of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. The Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) are being promoted and facilitated on the basis of Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. The IDP being an equivalent of a sea port located in the hinterland receives containers by rail or road from the seaport for examination and clearance by customs and other authorised Agencies. It has all the loading and off-loading equipment needed to handle containers.
Facilitation of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTA)
The Nigerian Shippers' Council is facilitating the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) which is a very important road transport infrastructure. A Vehicle Transit Area is a public rest area located off the highway, designed to provide temporary rest location for truck drivers. The facilities in a VTA include Gas Station, Motel, Restaurant, Mechanic Workshop, Fire Station, Police Post, Automated Cargo Tracking System, Banks etc. Presently, the Council has made significant progress in promoting the development of 2 (two) VTAs at Lokoja, Kogi State and Obollo Afor, Enugu State.
Border Information Centres (BICs)
The Border Information Centre (BIC) is a project established to give information to cross-border traders in order to effectively achieve seamless trade. The project is also a means of formalising the informal cross border trade and blocking of associated revenue leakages.
read more
Confirmation of Reasonableness of Freight, Demurrage Fees and Charter Party Fees
In an effort to eliminate incidences of illegal capital flight, the Nigeiran Shippers' Council confirms reasonableness of Freight, Demurrage Fees And Charter Party Fees, on behalf of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Previous
Next
Welcome to Nigerian Shippers' Council
The Nigerian Shippers' Council is the port economic regulator in the maritime and transport industry. Our primary responsibility is to facilitate trade and to protect the interest of Nigerian Shippers by promoting fair trade practices and ensuring shipping companies comply with approved standard operating procedures.
Read More
The Reviewed Port Concession Agreements
The Nigerian Shippers' Council has succeeded in ensuring that economic regulation is entrenched in the reviewed seaport terminal Concession Agreements. The Council is now recognized as the Port Economic Regulator in the Concession Agreement. This would put to rest the defiance by some stakeholders and private operators in the port, for the Council to carry out its statutory mandate, which had in the past grossly frustrated the effective implementation of the port economic regulatory regime.
Promote the Digitalization and Automation of all Port Processes
In order to reduce the incidences of human contact with cargoes and abolish manual documentation for efficient service delivery, the In order to reduce cost, incidences of human contact with cargoes and abolish manual documentation for efficient service delivery, the Council is promoting the digitalization and automation of all port processes in Nigeria. This digitalization of port processes include cargo release and submission of manifest. Most regulated service providers are fully digitalized.
Guidelines On Setting And Modification Of Tariffs, Rates And Charges For Service Providers In The Nigerian Port Sector
The Nigerian Shippers' Council received requests from shipping lines and seaport terminal operators for a review of the tariffs, rates and charges taking into consideration the fact that there had not been any review for over 10 (ten) years. Consequently, the Council reviewed the requests in line with the Guidelines for Tariffs, Rates and Charges. This review was approved by the Honourable Minister of Transportation.
Click to view Guidelines
Implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)
On the 15th February, 2023, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the reintroduction of the ICTN in Nigeria.
Lead Agency in the implementation of Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM)
The Nigerian Shippers' Council, in its role as the Lead Agency for the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM), supervises the activities of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT). The activities of the PSTT focused on three cardinal areas, which are: • Joint Boarding of Vessels & Rummaging. • Joint Cargo Examination. • Operation Free the Ports Corridors. The activities of the team saved the Nigerian economy an average vessel demurrage of $20, 000 per day between year 2021 and 2022, which ultimately translates to the sum of $12,350,000 which is over 5.4 Billion naira.
Handling and Resolution of Complaints
The Council handles the following issues and complaints from stakeholders amongst others: Arbitrary general increase in charges; Punitive specific increase in container deposit rate; Refusal to pay or delay in paying container deposit refund; Unnecessary delay in receiving returned empty containers leading to avoidable cost against the shipper; Refusal by consignees/Agents to pay demurrage/Charges for services rendered; Post shipment imposition of unfair terms on consignees and agents.
Facilitation of Inland Dry Ports
The development of Inland Dry Ports across the country was an initiative of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. The Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) are being promoted and facilitated on the basis of Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. The IDP being an equivalent of a sea port located in the hinterland receives containers by rail or road from the seaport for examination and clearance by customs and other authorised Agencies. It has all the loading and off-loading equipment needed to handle containers.
Facilitation of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTA)
The Nigerian Shippers' Council is facilitating the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) which is a very important road transport infrastructure. A Vehicle Transit Area is a public rest area located off the highway, designed to provide temporary rest location for truck drivers. The facilities in a VTA include Gas Station, Motel, Restaurant, Mechanic Workshop, Fire Station, Police Post, Automated Cargo Tracking System, Banks etc. Presently, the Council has made significant progress in promoting the development of 2 (two) VTAs at Lokoja, Kogi State and Obollo Afor, Enugu State.
Border Information Centres (BICs)
The Border Information Centre (BIC) is a project established to give information to cross-border traders in order to effectively achieve seamless trade. The project is also a means of formalising the informal cross border trade and blocking of associated revenue leakages.
read more
Confirmation of Reasonableness of Freight, Demurrage Fees and Charter Party Fees
In an effort to eliminate incidences of illegal capital flight, the Nigeiran Shippers' Council confirms reasonableness of Freight, Demurrage Fees And Charter Party Fees, on behalf of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Previous
Next

Nigerian Shippers' Council offers
Efficient Service Delivery

Transport is a critical determinant in the conduct of international trade and impacts on national economies. The availability, quality, cost, and efficiency of transport services influence the trading environment and the competitiveness of export goods on the international market as well as the cost of imported goods.

In this regard, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council serves as an agent for economic development through interventions in cost moderation and cargo transport issues resulting in positive impact on inflationary trends in the country.

MANDATE

Establish an Enabling Environment for all Stakeholders by instituting an Efficient and Effective Economic Regulatory System in the Transport Sector

 

VISION

To be the foremost Economic Regulator providing a framework that fosters effective, efficient and competitive service delivery for sustainable growth in the transportation sector.

 

MISSION STATEMENTS

i. Establish an Effective and Efficient Transport Economic Regulatory system which Advances the Rights and Interests of Stakeholders.

ii. Ensure that the Nigerian Transport Sector contributes optimally to the Economic Growth of the Nation.

iii. Develop and sustain a Professional Workforce driven by Knowledge and Technology for consolidation and sustainable Growth

CORE VALUES

C – Customer Focus And Stewardship

I – Innovation

T – Trust And Integrity

A – Adaptability And Value Diversity

D – Discipline And Accountability

E – Equity And Fairness

L – Leadership

Set, Monitor and enforce standards of service delivery, ensure stability, accessibility and adequacy of services.

Monitoring freight rates along the Nation’s trading routes and providing accurate and timely data and other vital information for Shippers.

Monitoring and advising on the general trends in both domestic and international commodity markets for the benefit of relevant stakeholders.

Negotiates and agrees with service providers on the quality of services and charges payable in accordance with local and international standards.

Disseminate trade and transport information to stakeholders through indicative freight rates and local shipping charges.

Providing training and educational resources to enhance knowledge and professionalism both in local and international trade.

Who We Are

In line with the Federal Government port reform agenda, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was appointed the Port Economic Regulator in February 2014, to create effective regulatory regime at the Nigerian ports for the control of tariff, rates, charges and other economic services.

We address the negative impact of port concession activities on the economy due to the absence of an economic regulator and to realize the optimal benefits of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s port reform processes.

Youtube Feeds

Facebook Feeds

Shippers Feeds

“To reach a port, we must set sail — Sail, not tie at anchor — Sail, not drift.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt