Clearing Agents Revolt As Shipping Firm Slams $100 on Nigerian-Bound Cargoes From China, Two Others

• Due to a combination of several factors, importation into Nigeria costs more than it does in other countries
• To compound matters, a French shipping firm has imposed additional charges only on cargoes coming into Nigeria
• This implies that shipping and clearing agents would have to pay extra charges on every 20-feet equivalent unit container

Legit.ng journalist Ruth Okwumbu-Imafidon has over a decade of experience in business reporting across digital and mainstream media.

CMA CGM, a French shipping firm, has announced a $100 surcharge on Nigeria-bound container cargoes, sparking controversy among shipping agents.

The $100 surcharge applies to every twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) coming into Nigeria from three countries.

The notice, dated May 5, 2025 and published on the company’s website, stated that the surcharge would apply to short-term contracts and would take effect from May 1, remaining in place until further notice.

The $100 is a Peak Season Surcharge associated with the increased cost of transportation during a particular period. When the demand for transport is high, the carriers may impose a charge on specific cargoes as they deem fit.

In the current situation, the shipping firm’s latest policy targets container cargoes originating from China, Hong Kong, and Macau SAR

$100 charges: Nigerian shipping agents kick

Nigerian shipping agents have strongly opposed CMA CGM’s new surcharge, calling it ill-timed and unfair given the current economic climate.

The national publicity secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Taiwo Fatobilola, insisted that the information could not be true as the shipping companies had promised that the charges would not be increased.

He told the PUNCH;

"But, if it is true, we will revolt against it. That means they want to kill importation in Nigeria. We are shouting about the high cost of importation, and Nigeria is the highest. We will not fold our hands, we will revolt against it.”

Ikenna Ejiogu called the surcharge unnecessary and ill-timed, especially given the current economic challenges Nigeria is facing.

He called on the relevant government agencies to step up and protect shippers and clearing agents, as the charges will affect Nigeria.

He explained that the importers would naturally transfer every added cost to the final consumers, possibly worsening inflation.

Nigeria welcomes its first direct cargo from China

Recall that only a few months ago, Nigeria received the first direct container cargo from China.

The Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Terminal made history with the arrival of the MV Great Cotonou, the first Con-Ro (Container-Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel offering a direct service from Shanghai to Lagos.

Speedy cargo clearance expected as B'Odogwu launches

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that shipping agents at the Apapa port can now access faster cargo clearance with the launch of the B'Odogwu platform.

The platform went live on Friday, May 9, 2025, with the first agent successfully cleared.

The NCS has promised that with the platform, cargoes do not have to spend weeks at the port, but can be cleared within hours.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng