Cargo Charges Increases By 100% As Congestion Delays Evacuation

Haulage costs for moving containers from Lagos’ Apapa Port to warehouses have surged by 100% in the past month as severe congestion stalls cargo evacuations.

The cost to transport a 40-foot container has doubled, reaching N700,000 from a previous N350,000, while moving a 20-foot container now costs as much as N450,000, up from N200,000 to N250,000 two weeks prior. Customs agents report prolonged delays, with some waiting three days to load cargo, leading to increased demurrage and storage fees for businesses.

The congestion has revived memories of pre-2021 conditions, before the Eto call-up system was introduced to manage port traffic. Although Eto aimed to alleviate congestion, trucking companies now face barriers to access due to irregular call-up ticket issuance at pre-gate facilities.

APM Terminals, operators at Apapa Container Terminal, attribute delays to enforcement issues rather than terminal inefficiencies. Meanwhile, freight agents are frustrated with additional delays from the Nigeria Customs and NDLEA, affecting cargo previously cleared for exit. With bottlenecks persisting, stakeholders fear transport costs could hit N1 million for 40-foot containers if congestion issues remain unresolved.