NIGERIAN SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL RESOLVES COMMERCIAL DISPUTE INVOLVING WWE, ALRAINE SHIPPING AND EKO SUPPORT SERVICES – Nigerian Shippers Council |

Tuesday, 20 January 2026
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), on Tuesday reconvened the continuation of its tripartite dispute resolution meeting involving Well-Worldwide Energy Logistics Ltd (WWE), Alraine Shipping Agencies (Nigeria) Ltd, and Eko Support Services Limited over the prolonged delay in the discharge and delivery of critical Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) infrastructure Cargo consigned to Seplat Energy Limited.

The continuation meeting held at Complaints Unit Meeting Room, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, followed the Interim Resolutions issued by the Council on 14 January 2026, pursuant to its statutory mandate to protect Shippers’ interests, regulate Port service providers, and prevent the escalation of avoidable commercial losses within Nigeria’s maritime, logistics, and energy supply chains.

The complaint emanated from the extended berthing delay, Vessel detention that has resulted in huge Vessel Demurrage, and accumulation of storage charges relating to the LPG Cargo aboard MV ANUNNAKI, which arrived Nigerian waters in October 2025. Despite the Cargo having been cleared by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 7 November 2025, physical delivery remained stalled due to operational, commercial, and contractual disagreements among the parties. The Council noted that the Cargo is of strategic importance to the national energy value chain, particularly given Nigeria’s ongoing gas infrastructure expansion.

Representatives of Alraine Shipping Agencies, led by the Shipping Manager Mr. Moses Odume, reiterated that the delay suffered by MV ANUNNAKI was not occasioned by deliberate berthing manipulation but was attributable to general port congestion at the Lagos Port Complex. Alraine maintained that the Vessel MV WAN MING 1, which occupied the berth at Eko Support Services Terminal, did so under prevailing operational realities, stressing that: “The Cargo delay was a consequence of Port congestion and operational constraints, not deliberate denial of berthing priority. MV WAN MING 1 was berthed in line with terminal availability at the material time.” The shipping agent further clarified that the two Vessels did not arrive simultaneously and alleged that outstanding freight obligations remained unsettled, which, according to them, impeded the issuance of delivery documentation. Additionally, Mr. Olajide Ogunbiade informed the meeting that any Final Resolution issued by the NSC would require consultation with Alraine’s foreign principal before full implementation, given the contractual implications.

The Managing Director of WWE, Mr. Patrick Igbokwe, informed the meeting that as of 20 January 2026, Vessel detention charges(Vessel Demurrage) associated with MV ANUNNAKI had escalated to USD 236,979.19, significantly increasing the financial exposure of the project. However, WWE acknowledged that it could not produce documentary evidence of the Charter Party Agreement, explaining that the contract existed between the Carrier and the Vessel Owners, and not directly with WWE. It was firmly established during deliberations that: Seplat West Limited is the ultimate Consignee of the Cargo; and the Cargo had completed Customs clearance since 7 November 2025, underscoring the urgency of physical delivery and evacuation from the terminal.

Eko Support Services Limited, represented by Mr. Isaiah (Operations Manager) and Mr. Simon Travers (Chief Operating Officer), informed the meeting that berthing decisions were made by Alraine Shipping Agencies, not the terminal. The terminal operator alleged that Alraine accorded operational preference to a Vessel other than MV ANUNNAKI, despite the terminal having waived six (6) days of charges for Vessels reportedly under Court arrest at the material time. Eko Support further stated that it could not release the Delivery Order (D/O) without confirmation of:

• Payment of freight,
• Settlement of terminal handling and storage charges, and fulfilment of applicable statutory obligations,

noting that it was bound by standard terminal operating procedures and international Port management practices. The terminal disclosed that storage charges would continue to accrue until the end of January 2026 and confirmed that as of 14 January 2026, cumulative storage liability stood at ₦218,968,997.

Responding on behalf of the Council, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, expressed grave concern over post-interim developments and reminded all parties that directives issued by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council are binding regulatory instruments, not advisory opinions. Dr. Ambi expressed disappointment that Alraine Shipping Agencies failed to formally notify Eko Support Services Limited to suspend storage charges effective 11 December 2025, as expressly directed by the Council. He rejected Alraine’s explanation that legal advice cautioned against compliance to avoid self-indictment, stating unequivocally that: “The directive emanated from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. No party is permitted to disregard or undermine the authority of the Council under any guise.”

The Council reiterated that the dispute falls squarely within its economic regulatory oversight, particularly given the strategic nature of the Cargo and the risk of systemic losses within the Maritime and Energy Sectors.

Final Resolutions

Following extensive deliberations, the meeting reached the resolutions as follows that:

1. The Council confirmed the existence of a valid commercial transaction between Seplat West Limited (via Well-Worldwide Energy Logistics Ltd) and Alraine Shipping Agencies (Nigeria) Ltd.
2. Well-World Energy Logistics, acting as agent to Seplat West Limited, is directed to settle all outstanding freight and related invoices on or before Friday, 23 January 2026, by 13:00 hours.
3. The Council acknowledged the prolonged abandonment of the Cargo at Eko Support Services Limited since October 2025 and appealed to the terminal to maintain a hold on further escalation of storage charges until 23 January 2026.
4. Alraine Shipping Agencies (Nigeria) Ltd is directed to immediately liaise with its principal to reach a settlement and propose a workable solution, including payment of outstanding Vessel detention charges (Vessel Demurrage) of USD 236,979, on or before Friday, 23 January 2026.
5. WWE is directed to pay demurrage covering the period 10th of October 2025 to 10th of December 2025, and submit evidence of payment to the Council by 13:00 hours on Friday, 23 January 2026.
6. Alraine Shipping Agencies (Nigeria) Ltd shall bear all statutory charges accrued on the Cargo from 11th December 2025 to Friday, 23rd January 2026, in line with the Council’s earlier directive.
7. The Council resolved that by 14:00 hours on Friday, 23 January 2026, failure by any party to comply with these directives shall result in escalation to the Enforcement Division of the Regulatory Services Department for appropriate enforcement action.
8. All parties are urged to comply fully with these directives to bring the dispute to a final, amicable, and commercially viable resolution and avoid further regulatory sanctions.
9. The Council noted that terminal storage charges amounting to ₦218,968,997 are subject to settlement by the parties, while appealing to Eko Support Services Limited to exercise discretion in the final computation.
10. All parties are directed to copy the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on all relevant documents, including evidence of freight payment, storage settlement, and Vessel detention charges (Vessel Demurrage), to enable continuous monitoring of the Consignment.

Parties expressed sincere gratitude for the Council’s prompt intervention and amicable resolution.