{
  "id": 4986240,
  "title": "High charges, delays undermine Nigeria’s maritime hub ambition – Alabi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/high-charges-delays-undermine-nigerias-maritime-hub-ambition-alabi-4986240",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:48:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/high-charges-delays-undermine-nigerias-maritime-hub-ambition-alabi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria, Boma Alabi, highlights that congestion surcharges and other charges are undermining Nigeria's aspirations to become a regional maritime hub. The primary economic factor driving soaring shipping costs in Nigeria is port/terminal congestion caused by procedural and logistics inefficiencies, as opposed to a lack of quay capacity. This congestion leads to prolonged cargo dwell times in Lagos ports, with an average of 18-21 days compared to 5-7 days in Ghana and 4 days in Cotonou. These delays translate into increased storage, demurrage, trucking, and financing costs, pushing Nigeria's logistics and clearance costs roughly 30 per cent above West African regional peers. Consequently, for many imported consignments, congestion and process delays can add 20-30 per cent to the final landed cost, depending on the commodity and financing structure.",
  "summary": "High charges and delays are undermining Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional maritime hub, increasing shipping costs and impacting imported goods prices Read More: https://punchng.com/high-charges-delays-undermine-nigerias-maritime-hub-ambition-alabi/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "High charges, delays undermine Nigeria’s maritime hub ambition – Alabi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/high-charges-delays-undermine-nigerias-maritime-hub-ambition-alabi",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:08:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}