The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has announced plans to begin the implementation of the controversial International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) programme in 2026, despite years of resistance from stakeholders in the maritime sector.
The ICTN, a mandatory cargo pre-arrival document for shipments destined for Nigeria, has faced repeated delays due to opposition from freight forwarders who argue that its implementation would impose additional financial burdens on port operators and businesses.
However, the Executive Secretary of the council, Pius Akutah, said the agency is now determined to move forward with the programme.
Akutah disclosed this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 NSC Management Retreat held in Abeokuta. According to him, the programme has become necessary as the council seeks to strengthen its financial capacity and reduce dependence on government funding.
He explained that limited funding has continued to affect the operational capacity of the council, adding that the agency must begin to generate more revenue to sustain its activities.
“One of the challenges we have as an organisation is funding, though it is not peculiar to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. Most of the initiatives we intend to implement require adequate funding,” Akutah said.
He noted that while the council receives government subvention, the amount is not sufficient to support its expanding responsibilities in regulating Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Akutah said the implementation of the ICTN would help the council generate revenue and improve the efficiency of port operations.
“We are a revenue-generating agency of government, and it is important for us to generate funds to support our activities. At the moment, we rely largely on funding that is not generated internally, but we intend to change that,” he stated.
The NSC boss revealed that the programme could have started earlier, possibly in the second quarter of 2025, but the council was unable to establish the necessary collection mechanism in its budget at the time.
According to him, discussions are ongoing with industry stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme in 2026 once the appropriate systems for fee collection are put in place.
Akutah also clarified that the ICTN charges are not entirely new but are part of broader efforts to strengthen the financial base of the council and improve regulation in the maritime industry.
He referenced findings from the Royal Canadian Panel report, which recommended that shippers’ councils should operate as independent regulatory bodies capable of funding their own operations.
The council also plans to become self-sustaining through other revenue sources, including a proposed one percent freight stabilisation fee. The levy is expected to be implemented once the Nigerian Shipping and Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill is passed into law.
Under the proposed ICTN framework, specific charges will apply to different categories of cargo entering Nigeria. These include $25 per container unit, $10 per unit for Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vessels, $0.2 per unit for break bulk cargo, $1 per freight ton for conventional or groupage cargoes, and $0.1 per ton for crude oil exports. However, empty containers and non-oil exports will not attract any charges.
The council said the fees are designed to improve transparency, strengthen monitoring systems, and enhance efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The International Cargo Tracking Note is a document required for all cargo shipments bound for Nigeria. It provides detailed information about shipments, including documentation such as bills of lading and invoices, which allows authorities to track cargo movements, improve security, and generate reliable data for port operations.
