- Due to a operation of respective factors, importation into Nigeria costs much than it does successful different countries
- To compound matters, a French shipping steadfast has imposed further charges lone connected cargoes coming into Nigeria
- This implies that shipping and clearing agents would person to wage other charges connected each 20-feet equivalent portion container
Legit.ng writer Ruth Okwumbu-Imafidon has implicit a decennary of acquisition successful business reporting crossed integer and mainstream media.
CMA CGM, a French shipping firm, has announced a $100 surcharge connected Nigeria-bound instrumentality cargoes, sparking contention among shipping agents.
The $100 surcharge applies to each twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) coming into Nigeria from 3 countries.
The announcement dated May 5, 2025, published connected the company’s website, said that the surcharge is applicable connected short-term contracts and would commence connected May 1 and past till further notice.

Source: Getty Images
The $100 is simply a Peak Season Surcharge that is associated with the accrued outgo of proscription during a peculiar period. When the request for transport is high, the carriers whitethorn enforce a complaint connected circumstantial cargoes arsenic they deem fit.
In the existent situation, the shipping firm’s latest argumentation targets instrumentality cargoes originating from China, Hong Kong, and Macau SAR
Nigerian shipping agents revolt against $100 charges
Nigerian shipping agents person powerfully opposed CMA CGM’s caller surcharge, calling it ill-timed and unfair fixed the existent economical climate.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Fatobilola, insisted that the accusation could not beryllium existent arsenic the shipping companies had promised that the charges would not beryllium increased.
He told the PUNCH;
"But, if it is true, we volition revolt against it. That means they privation to termination importation successful Nigeria. We are shouting astir the precocious outgo of importation, and Nigeria is the highest. We volition not fold our hands, we volition revolt against it.”Ikenna Ejiogu called the surcharge unnecessary and ill-timed, particularly fixed the existent economical challenges Nigeria is facing.
He called connected the applicable authorities agencies to measurement up and support shippers and clearing agents, arsenic the charges volition impact Nigeria.
He explained that the importers would people transportation each added outgo to the last consumers, perchance worsening inflation.
Nigeria welcomes its archetypal nonstop cargo from China
Recall that lone a fewer months ago, Nigeria received the first nonstop container cargo from China.

Source: Facebook
The Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Terminal made past with the accomplishment of the MV Great Cotonou, the archetypal Con-Ro (Container-Roll-on/Roll-off) vas offering a nonstop work from Shanghai to Lagos.
Agents to entree speedy cargo clearance with B'Odogwu
In related news, shipping agents astatine the Apapa larboard can present entree faster cargo clearance arsenic the B'Odogwu level is afloat operational.
Legit.ng reports that the level went unrecorded connected Friday, May 9th, 2025, with the archetypal cause successfully cleared.
The NCS has promised that with the platform, cargoes bash not person to walk weeks astatine the port, but tin beryllium cleared wrong hours.
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Source: Legit.ng