Title: Freight Agents Shut Down MSC Over Shipping Tariff Hike Date Published: 12 January 2026 Description: Operations at the Lagos ports were disrupted on Monday after freight forwarding associations shut down the Apapa office of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in protest against a fresh increase in shipping charges.The action was led by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Western Zone, alongside the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON).The protesting groups condemned the proposed hike, describing it as unjustifiable, especially coming barely three years after shipping companies raised tariffs by more than 400 percent.Speaking after the MSC office was sealed, ANLCA Western Zone Coordinator, Mr. Femi Anifowoshe, said the associations were demanding an immediate reversal to the old rates before any form of negotiation.“Our demand is for them to go back to the old rate before any negotiation,” Anifowoshe said.He recalled that freight agents had accepted the previous increase in October 2023 due to rising foreign exchange rates and high diesel costs but insisted that current economic realities no longer support another hike.“Two years ago, these shipping companies increased their charges by 400 percent based on the rising dollar rate and high cost of diesel. We agreed then. But now, the dollar is coming down and diesel is also coming down. There is no justification for this increment,” he said.Anifowoshe also faulted the timing of the increase, noting that freight agents were invited to a meeting on December 30, 2025, only for the new charges to take effect on January 1, 2026.“You can’t call us for a meeting on December 30 and increase your charges on January 1. They later claimed they sent us a notice on December 15. We already have contracts and MOUs with our clients based on the old rates. Who bears the extra cost now?” he queried.He warned that the protest would be escalated if the shipping companies failed to reverse the hike.“By tomorrow, we are moving to Maersk Line, PIL and others. If they don’t revert the fee hike, we will shut down their operations as well,” Anifowoshe declared.Confirming the action, APFFLON National President, Mr. Frank Ogunojemite, said the associations were united in their resolve to sustain the shutdown until the charges are reversed.“We are solidly behind the strike action. The hike in charges by the shipping companies is uncalled for. If they don’t reverse the fees, we will not back down,” Ogunojemite said.The protest was joined by several industry leaders, including the ANLCA Western Zone Secretary, Alhaji Idowu Owoade; ANLCA National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Oyeme; Chairman of ANLCA Tin Can Island Port Chapter, Prince Olawale Cole; and Chairman of the KLT Chapter, Chief Ahmed Olajide Bello.Officials and members of NAGAFF and APFFLON also participated, including the NAGAFF Tin Can Chapter Chairman, Dr. Emeka Paul Chiedozie, and APFFLON Tin Can Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Aribiojo, among others. Attached Images: 276a0dcb3e3d27c364e0b67dc6e42331c4b33d07a4d2949efd99790f7a1035e6.jpg Attached Video: None