NAGAFF accuses shipping lines of frustrating empty container returns

Stanley Ihedigbo

National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has raised the alarm over persistent delays in the return of empty containers, accusing some shipping lines of deliberately frustrating the process while continuing to impose detention charges on freight forwarders and importers.

The association, in a letter dated August 6, 2026, demanded the immediate suspension of detention charges allegedly incurred by customers as a result of delays in the acceptance of empty containers.

The letter, signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator, 100 per cent Compliance Team of NAGAFF, and addressed to all shipping lines, alleged that some carriers were effectively turning haulage trucks into temporary holding facilities because of inadequate or unavailable holding bays for empty containers.

According to NAGAFF, the situation has imposed unnecessary financial burdens on freight forwarders, importers and haulage operators, while also worsening congestion around the nation’s port corridors.

The association explained that freight forwarders and importers often take delivery of laden containers from the ports and subsequently make arrangements to return the empty containers after offloading their cargoes.

However, it said they frequently encounter difficulties when attempting to return the containers to the designated shipping lines.

NAGAFF alleged that some shipping lines do not have adequate facilities to receive empty containers promptly and, in some cases, wait until their vessels arrive before accepting the empties.

The development, it said, leaves haulage trucks stranded for days or even weeks, preventing transport operators from deploying their trucks for other assignments.

“This practice is unacceptable because it unlawfully ties down trucks for days or even weeks, preventing transporters from taking on other jobs and causing avoidable financial losses,” the association stated.

NAGAFF further warned that the prolonged detention of trucks was having a wider impact on the efficiency of the nation’s maritime supply chain.
With trucks waiting for shipping lines to accept empty containers, the association said, congestion is aggravated around port access roads and other designated areas, thereby undermining efforts to improve cargo evacuation and facilitate trade.

‘Stop charging customers for delays you created’

One of the major concerns raised by NAGAFF is the continued imposition of detention charges on importers and freight forwarders during periods when, according to the association, the customers are unable to return the containers because the shipping lines themselves are not ready or equipped to receive them.

NAGAFF described such charges as unfair and unjust, arguing that customers should not be financially penalised for circumstances beyond their control.

“It is fundamentally unjust for a shipping line to refuse to receive its empty container while simultaneously charging customers for failing to return that same container. No person or organisation should profit from a delay that it deliberately creates,” the association stated.

The freight forwarding body, therefore, called on shipping lines to urgently review their empty-container return procedures and eliminate bottlenecks that prevent customers from returning containers within the stipulated period.

NAGAFF Demands Holding Bays
As part of its demands, NAGAFF urged all shipping lines operating in Nigeria to provide adequate holding bays and facilities capable of receiving empty containers promptly and without unnecessary delays.

The association said the provision of such facilities was necessary to ensure that importers and freight forwarders could return containers immediately after the completion of cargo delivery, in line with applicable regulations and established port procedures.

NAGAFF also demanded the immediate suspension of detention charges arising from the alleged inability of shipping lines to receive empty containers.

Beyond the suspension of the charges, the association called for refunds to customers who had already paid detention charges in circumstances where delays were allegedly caused by the shipping lines’ failure to accept the containers.

The demands, according to the association, are aimed at protecting stakeholders from avoidable financial losses and ensuring that the nation’s maritime logistics chain operates more efficiently.

Trucks tied down for weeks

The association stressed that the consequences of the problem extend beyond individual importers and freight forwarders.

When a haulage truck is unable to return an empty container, the vehicle remains tied down and unavailable for other cargo movements. This, NAGAFF said, results in additional operational costs for transporters, including lost business opportunities, fuel expenses and other logistics-related costs.

The association warned that continued delays could further increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports and undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

NAGAFF maintained that an efficient empty-container return system is essential to the smooth functioning of the maritime sector because containers must circulate quickly between ports, shipping lines, importers and exporters.

It therefore urged shipping lines to ensure that their operational arrangements do not create unnecessary bottlenecks for other stakeholders within the supply chain.

Threatens lawful action

NAGAFF warned that it would not allow the alleged practice to continue indefinitely.

The association said failure by shipping lines to address the problem could force it to explore every lawful avenue available to protect the interests of freight forwarders, importers and other stakeholders affected by the delays.

“Should this unfair practice continue, NAGAFF will have no option but to pursue every lawful means available to protect the interests of freight forwarders and Nigerian importers,” it warned.

The association said it remained committed to promoting compliance, transparency and efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime and freight forwarding sector.

Stakeholders put on notice

The NAGAFF letter was copied to key government and maritime stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, the Commissioner of Police, Port, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Port.

Also copied were the various Port Managers, the Founder of NAGAFF and the National President of the association.

By bringing the matter to the attention of the major regulatory, security and port management authorities, NAGAFF appears determined to ensure that the empty-container return system receives urgent institutional attention.

The association maintained that the current arrangement is unsustainable and detrimental to trade facilitation, port efficiency and the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

It therefore urged shipping lines to act immediately by providing adequate facilities for the return of empty containers, suspending disputed detention charges and refunding charges allegedly collected from customers who were unable to return containers because of acceptance delays.

NAGAFF said resolving the issue would not only reduce financial pressure on importers, freight forwarders and haulage operators but also help to decongest port access roads, improve truck turnaround time and strengthen the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime supply chain.