The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and Grimaldi Shipping Agency Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation, moving to streamline dispute resolution timelines and explore structured operational internships to enhance trade facilitation within Nigeria’s Maritime Sector.
The pact was solidified during an advocacy visit by the NSC Complaints Unit to Grimaldi’s operational Headquarters on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The strategic engagement served as the official introduction of the newly appointed Head of the NSC Complaints Unit, Dr.(Mrs.) Juliana Saka, to Grimaldi’s Executive Management.
Receiving the Council’s delegation, Mr. Emeka Izuagbu, Grimaldi’s Assistant General Manager (Commercial Operations), welcomed the Council alongside a management team comprising Finance Manager Mr. Charles Obata, Head of Human Resources Mr. Samuel Ukolo, and Senior Customer Care Personnel.
Speaking on behalf of the NSC Complaints Team, an Assistant Chief Operations Officer Mr. Hassan Aminu, in his opening remarks emphasized that the Complaints Unit remains central to fostering fair trade practices, protecting Cargo interests, and maintaining maritime supply chain integrity.
Representing the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, the new Complaints Chief, Dr. Saka in her inaugural address to the Line, revealed that Grimaldi was intentionally selected for her maiden advocacy visit due to the Carrier’s consistent compliance rating. To optimize communication, she requested that Grimaldi formalize a dedicated liaison framework to fast-track administrative queries.
In addition, Dr. Saka proposed a collaborative capacity-building initiative: a One-week Rotational Internship Program for NSC Complaints Officers across Grimaldi’s agency desks and terminal operations.
“A structured exposure to practical Cargo clearance procedures, Shipping Line releases, and terminal workflows will equip our Officers with the operational context needed to investigate disputes impartially and eliminate communication gaps,” Dr. Saka stated.
Responding for the Shipping Agency, Mr. Izuagbu confirmed that Grimaldi’s Customer Care Department, led by Mrs. Mavis Ezeocha, will continue to serve as the primary conduit for NSC-escalated disputes. He pledged a 48-hour Service Level Agreement (SLA) for initial email acknowledgments.
However, noting the complexities of maritime claims, Mr. Izuagbu urged the regulator to adopt a more flexible posture regarding dispute turnaround times, particularly when coordinating tripartite reviews involving multiple maritime actors.
Addressing Demurrage Liability and Customs Auction Fraud, The engagement also touched upon pressing operational friction points. Grimaldi’s Commercial Manager, Mrs. Chioma Kelechi Ahanonu, raised critical concerns regarding a rising trend where some Nigerian importers deliberately abandon Cargo at the Port Terminals with the intent of buying it back cheaply during subsequent Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) auctions, a practice she warned undermines legitimate trade channels.
Using the specific case of an ongoing dispute involving an auctioned 2008 Toyota Previa, Mrs. Ahanonu clarified the boundaries of Carrier liability regarding abandoned and State Warehouse Cargo:
- Limits of Carrier Liability : Where a Consignee’s clearance workflow is stalled due to Customs queries or regulatory holds, subsequent government auctions do not automatically translate to commercial liability for the Ocean Carrier, provided the Shipping Line did not actively prevent Cargo delivery.
- Auction Matrix Enforcement : Grimaldi utilizes an internal assessment matrix approved by executive management to evaluate legacy charges on Auctioned Units, factoring in asset type and date of manufacture.
- Document Expiry : While the Line offers discretionary commercial concessions to cushion losses for bona fide auction buyers, regulatory auction titles carry strict, non-renewable validity windows. Once these lapse, waivers remain entirely at the Carrier’s administrative discretion.
Closing the session, Dr. Saka presented the latest editions of the NSC Complaints Unit Newsletter to the Grimaldi Executive Team, reiterating that the Council’s regulatory oversight will remain firmly rooted in equity, transparency, and audi alteram partem (hearing both sides).
Both entities concluded the sit-down by pledging to maintain open communication channels, optimize dispute resolution mechanisms, and drive efficiency across Nigeria’s Maritime Logistics Corridor.
