By Sandra Chukwunyere
Freight forwarders on Thursday picketed the premises of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in protest against a controversial tariff increase, as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council called for restraint and dialogue to resolve the dispute.
The aggrieved operators, who gathered at the shipping company’s facility, maintained a hardline stance, rejecting appeals for negotiation and insisting on the immediate reversal of the charges before any talks can commence.
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The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, urged stakeholders to prioritise constructive engagement over industrial action, stressing that sustained dialogue remains the most effective way to resolve disputes without disrupting Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Dr. Akutah made the appeal while addressing the protesters at MSC, calling on all parties to move away from confrontation and utilise established regulatory channels to address their grievances.
However, the freight forwarders dismissed the call, vowing to continue the protest into the coming week, a development that signals a deepening standoff within the maritime sector.
Reinforcing his position, the Shippers’ Council boss described dialogue as a modern, efficient, and humane approach to conflict resolution, warning that prolonged disruption could stall port operations and trigger wider economic consequences.
The Council also condemned the reported obstruction of its officials from accessing the MSC premises, describing the action as counterproductive and a setback to mediation efforts.
Highlighting its intervention record, the Council recalled a previous dispute involving the same tariff issue, during which it compelled MSC to suspend charge collections for 48 hours to create room for negotiations.
Dr. Akutah reaffirmed the Council’s role as a neutral mediator, assuring stakeholders of its continued commitment to promoting fairness, stability, and efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
