Akutah charges UASC to tackle peak season surcharges by shipping lines
The Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Ukeyima Akutah, has raised concerns over recent peak season surcharges and other arbitrary charges imposed by shipping lines on freight, saying these surcharges pose serious implications for trade competitiveness in West and Central Africa.
Pius Akutah expressed a confidence that Member States of the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC), at the end of their ongoing seminar in Lagos, would come up with a unified regional position that promotes fairness, transparency, and sustainability in shipping practices.
The theme of the seminar is The Readiness of Countries of West and Central Africa in the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA-The Role of Shippers’ Councils.” It is hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Akutah pointed out that Shippers’ Councils in Africa have critical roles – Advocacy and Regulatory – to play in ensuring fair competition, transparent freight practices, and efficient movement of goods across borders.
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“The AfCFTA represents one of the most ambitious initiatives ever undertaken by the African Union, creating a single market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding 3 trillion dollars.
“This is where the Shippers’ Councils have a critical role to play. Across our sub-region, we are expected to serve not only as advocates for shippers but also as regulators ensuring fair competition, transparent freight practices, and efficient movement of goods across borders,” said he.
On the activities of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Akutah has this to say “For us in Nigeria, the Shippers’ Council as the Port Economic Regulator continues to implement policies aimed at improving port efficiency, promoting multimodal transport, and facilitating the development of Inland Dry Ports and logistics hubs. These efforts are designed to strengthen our readiness for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
“We are equally concerned about the recent issue of peak season surcharges and other arbitrary charges imposed by shipping lines. These surcharges have serious implications for trade competitiveness in West and Central Africa. I believe that through constructive engagement at this forum, we can develop a unified regional position that promotes fairness, transparency, and sustainability in shipping practices.
“This meeting provides a unique opportunity for us to share experiences, harmonize strategies, and strengthen institutional collaboration among UASC member States. It is our hope that the outcomes of our deliberations will lead to practical measures that enhance efficiency, reduce the cost of trade, and improve the overall competitiveness of our economies.”
