Shipping companies operating in Nigeria are raising concerns over what they describe as excessive charges on berthing and passage levied by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), warning that the costs are significantly increasing the price of doing business at the country’s ports.
According to industry operators, about 4,477 vessels called at Nigerian ports in 2025, with shipping activity generating an estimated $111.9 million per day in anchorage-related payments. The figures have sparked fresh debate over the cost structure of port operations and its impact on trade competitiveness.
“$25,000 per day” for foreign vessels, lower rates for local flags
Shipping firms say the disparity in charges remains a major concern. Foreign-flagged vessels reportedly pay about $25,000 per day for berthing and delays at anchorage, while Nigerian-flagged vessels are charged between $1,500 and $2,500 for clearance and movement in and out of ports.
Operators argue that these costs become especially burdensome when vessels are forced to wait at anchorage due to factors outside their control, such as congestion and limited berth availability.
In many cases, vessels are left waiting for extended periods due to operational bottlenecks, including terminal congestion and heavy road traffic leading to port facilities.
Industry voices warn of rising import costs
During a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, industry participants warned that the current structure of port charges is already feeding into higher logistics and import costs.
The Chief Operating Officer of AA Secure Platforms, Balkisu Lawal-Akinbola, described the situation as increasingly difficult for operators navigating Nigeria’s port system.
She explained that vessels are only able to exit anchorage after obtaining approval from the Nigerian Ports Authority and ensuring that their accounts with the agency are sufficiently funded before clearance is granted.
“For vessels to leave Anchorage, they must secure NPA’s approval and also have a funded account with the authority before being allowed to leave,” she noted.
She urged regulators to reassess the cost framework, warning that shipping expenses ultimately ripple through the economy and are passed on to importers and consumers.
NPA defends charges, cites heavy operational burden
Responding to the concerns, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, defended the agency’s pricing structure, stressing that the NPA bears significant financial responsibility in maintaining port operations.
He pointed out that Nigerian ports operate in a highly competitive regional environment, with neighbouring hubs such as Cotonou, Lomé, Accra, and Abidjan attracting shipping traffic.
According to him, maintaining efficiency requires substantial investment in marine infrastructure and equipment, much of which is imported and paid for in foreign currency.
He specifically highlighted the cost of acquiring and maintaining essential marine assets like tugboats, noting that exchange rate pressures significantly raise operational expenses.
Dantsoho also emphasised that channel maintenance remains one of the most expensive aspects of port management, with dredging operations consuming a large portion of the authority’s budget.
Growing pressure to balance cost, efficiency, and competitiveness
The dispute reflects a broader tension in Nigeria’s maritime sector: the need to fund costly port infrastructure while keeping operations competitive enough to retain shipping traffic in a region where neighbouring ports are aggressively positioning themselves as alternatives.
For shipping companies, the concern is not only the level of charges but the financial burden created when delays—often linked to congestion and infrastructure gaps—translate directly into higher fees.
As trade volumes grow and port calls increase, industry stakeholders say the sustainability of Nigeria’s port pricing model will likely remain a central issue in ongoing reform discussions.