Licensed customs agents have concluded plans to engage with the management of the CMA CGM Shipping company over the recent hike in charges on Nigeria-bound cargoes.

The shipping company in a notice sighted by The PUNCH on Monday, March 6th, states that effective from Monday, March 10th, the company will be reviewing their charges upwards.

In the notice titled ‘Update on local charges due to NPA port & Marine fee adjustment,’ the company blamed the development on the recent port tariff hikes by the NPA.

The notice read in part, “We are writing to inform you of a review of our charges following the recent increase in Port and Marine charges implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority, which came into effect March 1, 2025. As a result of such adjustment, we find it necessary to update our tariff structure to account for the new cost environment, effective March 10, 2025.”

Giving details of the increase, the company explained that under the review, a 20ft container will now be charged N145,327 while a 40ft container will attract N290,654.

“A 20ft Reefer container will attract N145,327 while a 40ft Reefer container will attract N290,654,” it stated.

However, the National Protocol Officer of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Amuni Riwane, condemned the increase. He said the ethics committee of the association would be engaging the shipping companies on Monday.

“Our own ethics committee will be meeting with the shipping companies today to know the way forward. The increase is going to affect operations; it’s like adding salt to an injury. The economic situation is already harsh. So we are going to engage them today,” Riwane said.

Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Shipping and Terminals of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr.Nnadi Ugochukwu, admitted that though they have not been notified of the increase, they will be engaging the shipping companies if need be.




https://punchng.com/agents-to-engage-shipping-companies-over-hike-in-charges/