THE Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has revealed that complaints against shipping companies totaled 139 out of 264 handled by the agency in 2023, accounting for 53 percent of total complaints recorded in the year under review.
In the NSC latest report on stakeholder complaints resolution released recently, the agency said it successfully saved stakeholders a total of N349,290,462 and $35,058.02 through effective interventions in different cases in 2023.
According to the report, these savings were as a result of handling and resolution of the various complaints from January to December 2023, as detailed in the Council’s latest report on stakeholder complaints resolution.
The report highlighted that out of 264 complaints handled, 99 were successfully resolved, 21 were closed, and 144 are still ongoing. This indicates that while 38% of the complaints were resolved and 8% closed, a significant 55% remain in progress, suggesting the need for enhanced resolution strategies and resource allocation.
Our correspondent also noted the substantial number of ongoing cases which underscore the complexity of issues faced by stakeholders and the need for continuous improvement in complaint resolution processes.
A detailed analysis of the complaints reveals that import and export companies were the most active complainants, filing 188 complaints, which constitute the majority. This is followed by shipping companies with 29 complaints, legal firms with 18, and freight forwarders with 17. Terminal operators, government agencies, and truck owners filed 6, 3, and 3 complaints, respectively.
This distribution highlights the diverse range of stakeholders relying on the NSC for dispute resolution and assistance in navigating the maritime industry’s complexities.
The entities most complained against include shipping companies, which received 139 complaints, accounting for 53 percent of the total. Seaport terminal operators were next with 72 complaints (27%), followed by import and export companies with 22 complaints (8%). Government agencies and freight forwarders each faced 5 complaints (2%), while bonded terminals and warehouses had only three complaints (1%).
This data indicates that shipping companies and terminal operators are the primary sources of dissatisfaction among stakeholders, suggesting areas where regulatory oversight and operational improvements are most needed.
Reacting to the amount saved through the Councils intervention a shipper; Mr John Duduyemi said: “The data revealed that the NSC’s intervention has led to significant financial savings for stakeholders, which is critical in a sector where operational costs can be high and margins thin. By recovering ₦349,290,462 and $35,058.02, according to the data you said you have seen, it means the Council has provided a vital financial cushion for companies operating within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“These recoveries are particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises that might be disproportionately affected by financial disputes and operational inefficiencies.
“The financial savings and effective resolution of complaints shows the NSC’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of stakeholders in the maritime industry” he said.
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