By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The Sea Empowerment and Research Center, SEREC has called on the federal government and other relevant agencies, especially Nigeria Customs Service, NCS; Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC; and Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to jointly establish a comprehensive regulatory framework that would provide clear guidelines for the conversion and disposal of temporarily imported containers.

The centre also recommended a comprehensive audit of empty container inventory, movements, and disposal practices across shipping companies operating in Nigeria as part of broader port sector reforms and National Single Window implementation efforts.

Recall that Principal Consultant of International Trade Advisory Services, Okey Ibeke, had said that the Nigerian government lost over $600 million (N600 billion) in customs duties, VAT and other levies over 30 years via sale of empty shipping containers by foreign shipping lines operating in its ports.

Head of Research at SEREC, Eugene Nweke, made the recommendation in addendum to the ongoing discourse on empty container disposal and temporary importation compliance in Nigeria.

Continued, he urged the government to strengthen container tracking applicable duties, taxes, and statutory obligations; promote transparency in container ownership transfers and disposal processes.
He added that it is important to upport trade facilitation while safeguarding government revenue and addressing the recurring empty container burden confronting Nigerian port users.

His words: “Ultimately, the objective should not merely be to resolve an isolated controversy but to establish a sustainable regulatory regime that balances trade facilitation, revenue protection, operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and national economic interest.

‘For several years, SEREC has consistently highlighted the economic, operational, environmental, and regulatory implications of the growing volume of empty containers within the Nigerian port ecosystem. These concerns include: absence of a unified national policy on empty container management and disposal. Weak reconciliation mechanisms for temporarily imported containers.

‘Revenue leakages associated with unaccounted container movements and conversions. Escalating costs imposed on importers and freight forwarders through container deposit and return challenges.

“Congestion of port and terminal facilities arising from the accumulation of empty containers. Environmental and urban planning concerns associated with indiscriminate storage of empty containers across the country.”

However, Grimaldi Agency Nigeria said claims suggesting that the seller was liable for customs duties following the sale of a few empty containers are inaccurate and inconsistent with the terms of sales.
The company also disowned report that it sold 2,500 empty containers.