While driving fair play in the maritime industry, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council successfully mediated a conflict between FPIS Lagos, CMA CGM, and PIL on March 3rd. This swift intervention underscores the Council’s vital role in fostering industry-wide harmony and resolving complex stakeholder disputes.
The Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, recently issued a public notice advising exporters against patronizing CMA CGM and PIL. The notice follows a dispute over alleged outstanding payments for the disinfestation and fumigation of export cargo receptacles.
Earlier, seeking a swift resolution, both shipping companies formally appealed for the Council’s regulatory intervention.
However, in a proactive move for the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria, Dr. Bashir Ambi (Head of Complaints Unit) hosted a mediation session on behalf of the Council’s CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D. Despite a warm welcome for all parties, the session proceeded without the Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS), who failed to attend the critical meeting.
A scheduling conflict arose when the Head of FPIS Lagos requested a postponement due to official engagements, despite claims of a missing IT notification that the Shippers’ Council never received. The Council stood firm against a delay, prioritizing the immediate movement of export cargoes currently stranded across national terminals. Interestingly, the shipping lines also rejected the Council’s initial offer to relocate the meeting to the FPIS office, insisting on a more formal resolution process.
While stressing diplomacy over penalties, the Chairman noted that while sanctions remain on the table, the Council’s priority is a stable environment for maritime commerce. In a decisive move to break the deadlock, he placed an immediate call to FPIS Lagos Head, Mrs. Nwachukwu, effectively bringing her into the deliberations via phone to ensure the meeting achieved its objectives.
Key industry players were well-represented: Mr. Austin spearheaded the CMA CGM team, while PIL was led by General Manager Mr. Dhanesh Nair.
Dr. Ambi called upon the complaint handler, Jessica Nathaniel, who presented the formal grievance and tendered a copy of the restrictive Public Notice. The notice stated:
‘TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Effective January 19, 2026, containers from CMA CGM are prohibited from loading or stuffing agricultural produce at all FPIS-registered warehouses and loading points nationwide. All Warehouse Managers, Terminal Operators, and FPIS personnel are hereby directed to comply.
Signed, Management.’”
After a productive and exhaustive session lasting over an hour and a half, the following key resolutions were unanimously adopted:
1) The FPIS shall immediately withdraw the public notice issued against the two shipping companies to ensure the unhindered facilitation of national exports.
2) The FPIS shall immediately issue a new public notice to restore the reputation of the carriers, providing Nigerian exporters with the confidence needed to resume international trade operations.
3) To resolve all financial discrepancies, FPIS accounting officers will commence immediate reconciliation with the shipping lines starting Wednesday, March 4.
4) The shipping companies involved are mandated to settle all outstanding payments within four business days into a single, unified statutory account.
5) To ensure transparency and swift payment, the FPIS must provide detailed documentation for every fumigation service, verifying exact units, locations, and personnel signatures before billing the shipping lines.
6) Building on the success of the Maersk Line mediation, the NSC has invited the FPIS to utilize the Council’s dispute resolution framework for any future compliance challenges.
7) The session concluded with a call for seamless synergy among stakeholders, emphasizing a commitment to trade without friction or infractions.
8) Stakeholders lauded the Council’s decisive leadership, expressing gratitude for an intervention that has restored harmony to the industry.