As part of efforts to enhance the ease of doing business at Nigerian seaports, CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Limited has announced the removal the container deposit requirement for all new bookings via the shipping company.
The shipping company disclosed this on Wednesday as it presented the official letter announcing the removal to the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, at the NSC headquarters.
While the new development took effect on Tuesday 21st May 2025, this development follows sustained stakeholder engagements led by NSC and is a significant step toward promoting a more efficient, customer-friendly shipping environment in Nigeria.
The NSC boss commended this initiative and labelled it as “a milestone in ongoing efforts to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance, and boost competitiveness at Nigerian ports”.
It is believed that this policy shift is expected to ease the financial burden on shippers, reduce disputes over refunds, and further drive reforms across the maritime sector.
The removal of the container deposit aligns with industry-wide calls for more transparent and cost-effective practices within the port and logistics value chain.
In a formal communication to the Council, CMA CGM attributed the decision to valuable customer feedback received over the years. They emphasized that the move is aimed at streamlining operational procedures, simplifying logistics, and improving service delivery.
The Council, however, encourages other shipping lines operating in Nigeria to adopt similar customer-focused policies in the interest of fairness, transparency, and improved service efficiency.
