The National Shippers’ Association of Nigeria (NSAN) has written to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) over the alleged abandonment of more than 150 export cargoes at Apapa Port by Maersk Line Nigeria, warning that the prolonged delay is threatening Nigeria’s non-oil export trade and causing substantial financial losses to exporters.

In a complaint dated June 27, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSAN said the cargoes have remained stranded at the port for over five months without evacuation or resolution.

The association, led by its National President, Dr. Jamilu Mohammed Goma, noted that a formal complaint had earlier been submitted to Maersk Line Nigeria on June 15, 2026, demanding the immediate shipment of the affected cargoes.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the Council’s Public Complaints Department. However, NSAN alleged that no meaningful action has been taken by the shipping company.

According to the association, many of the affected shipments consist of perishable agricultural and processed export products whose quality and market value have deteriorated significantly due to the prolonged delay.

NSAN said the situation has exposed exporters to severe economic consequences, including reduced product quality, breach of supply contracts with international buyers, possible rejection of cargoes by foreign consignees, and loss of export revenues and foreign exchange earnings.

The group further warned that the incident could damage the reputation of Nigerian exporters in the global marketplace and undermine efforts to boost non-oil exports.

“We wish to state unequivocally that any complaint, rejection, financial loss, or damages arising from the delayed shipment and deterioration of these cargoes should be borne entirely by Maersk Line Nigeria,” the association stated in the petition

NSAN urged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandoned cargoes and compel Maersk Line Nigeria to immediately evacuate and process the shipments.

It also called for compensation for affected exporters and stronger regulatory measures to prevent a recurrence.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE).

The complaint comes at a time when the Federal Government is seeking to expand non-oil exports as part of efforts to diversify the economy and increase foreign exchange earnings.

Efforts to reach authority at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council were not successful as of press time.