The Nigerian Shippers Council has urged freight forwarders to adopt dialogue in resolving disputes after some staged a protest at the offices of Mediterranean Shipping Company over recent tariff increases.

Freight forwarders protested at the company’s offices in response to an increase in shipping line tariffs. The picketing action took place as part of industrial action by members of the freight forwarding community.

The Shippers Council, which regulates economic activities in the maritime sector, intervened to mediate between the protesting forwarders and the shipping company.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Shippers Council, Akutah Pius, appealed for constructive engagement and warned that prolonged industrial disputes could disrupt port operations and negatively affect trade and economic activities.

Pius said dialogue is an effective dispute‑resolution mechanism, describing it as “faster, more humane, and more productive” than industrial actions.

Council officials noted that their previous intervention during a similar protest led MSC to suspend the collection of the disputed charges for two days while discussions were ongoing.

The freight forwarders involved said they intended to continue the protest until the tariff increases were reversed.

The Shippers Council condemned actions that prevented regulators from accessing the MSC premises to address the matter.