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Nigerian Shippers Hit With $1,200 TEU Peak Season Surcharge

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Peak Season Surcharge

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian importers and shippers are facing a high surcharge with transportation of dry cargo from Asia to ports in Apapa, Lekki and other locations across the country, hitting $1,200.

One of such companies implementing this is Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement – Compagnie Générale Maritime (CMA CGM), which has slammed $1,200 Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) and will take effect from June 15, 2025, according to the shipping line in its newly released notice.

CMA CGM is a French shipping and logistics company founded in 1978.

This comes as the Apapa port is experiencing a surge in import volumes, which has impacted the collection of empty containers, as shipping lines prioritise the discharge of imports.

Nigeria is not alone in this as the surcharge affects key ports in West Africa’s Central Range, namely Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Togo, and Equatorial Guinea as well as the South Range, which covers Angola, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Namibia, Gabon, and Cameroon

CMA CGM, in the notice issued to customers, said the surcharge reflects broader market dynamics as carriers respond to seasonal cargo surges and operational cost pressures along the Asia–Africa trade corridor.

According to the shipping company, the surcharge will apply to dry cargo transported under short-term contracts from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, China, and the Hong Kong & Macau Special Administrative Regions.

The firm said the surcharge is in addition to basic freight rates and does not cover other applicable costs such as bunker-related fees, terminal handling charges (THC), and safety or security surcharges.

CMA CGM also imposed a higher surcharge to cargoes from China destined for countries in West Africa’s North Range, which includes Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé & Príncipe.

The company said the surcharge for these destinations is set at $1,600 per 20-foot container, with charges for 40-foot containers remaining unchanged.

The shipping line emphasised that the updated charges exclude additional costs, including basic freight, bunker adjustment factors, THC, and safety and security surcharges.

CMA CGM stated that the surcharge adjustments are in response to seasonal market pressures and are intended to ensure uninterrupted service along one of the world’s busiest trade corridors during peak shipping periods.

The company reiterated that the changes are part of its ongoing commitment to providing “reliable and efficient services” amid peak demand.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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as public holidays

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

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