In what has been described as a rare win for Nigerian importers, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has applauded CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Ltd. for scrapping its long-criticised container deposit charges — a move expected to ease business for thousands of traders and logistics operators nationwide.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr. Pius Akutah, in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, hailed the shipping giant’s decision to cancel the controversial deposit requirement, calling it a “customer-focused” milestone that will take effect from May 21.
“This marks a major victory for Nigerian shippers who have for years struggled under the weight of unfair and non-transparent charges,” Akutah said.
The container deposit — a sum importers were required to pay upfront for every shipment, supposedly refundable upon return of empty containers — had long been criticised for sparking endless refund delays, disputes, and cash flow challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
What It Means for Shippers
According to the NSC boss, removing this deposit policy will significantly lower the cost of doing business, improve transparency, and accelerate reform efforts in the port and maritime sector.
“This initiative is in direct response to the consistent calls by stakeholders to eliminate barriers that hurt compliance and trade competitiveness,” Akutah noted.
“It will also simplify logistics, reduce port congestion, and build trust between shipping companies and their customers.”
Listening to the People
Akutah didn’t hold back in praising CMA CGM for paying attention to the voices that matter most — the customers.
“We commend CMA CGM for demonstrating that customer feedback is not just a box to tick. It should be the foundation of every major policy decision in the logistics space,” he stated.
Call to Action
The Shippers’ Council is now urging other international shipping lines operating in Nigeria to follow CMA CGM’s example and embrace similar pro-customer reforms.
“There’s no reason why other players in the sector should not adopt this model. Fairness, transparency, and efficiency should no longer be optional — they are now the benchmark,” Akutah stressed.
As Nigerian shippers celebrate this breakthrough, pressure is now mounting on other operators to eliminate anti-business policies and align with global best practices. For once, it seems the tide is turning — and this time, it’s in favour of the people who keep the country’s trade engine running.
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