TARIFF INCREASE LOOMS AT ONNE PORT AS WACT ANNOUNCES NEW RATES.

The West African Container Terminal (WACT) operating at Onne Port in Rivers State is set to implement a significant tariff increase starting tomorrow, April 1, 2025. According to a notice issued by the terminal operator, both Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and storage fees will be adjusted upward after receiving necessary approvals from relevant regulatory agencies.
Our correspondent gathered that while the Terminal Handling Charges will see an 8 percent increase, storage charges will double with a 100 percent adjustment.
“Effective on April 1, 2025, applicable THCs shall be duly adjusted by eight per cent and Storage by 100 per cent, and the new rates shall be made available on our website on the said effective date,” the terminal’s notice stated.
In what appears to be a measure to cushion the impact of the tariff hike on port users, WACT has extended the storage-free period from three days to five days. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause you; hence, the storage-free days have been adjusted from three free days to five free days,” the company explained.
WACT defended the price adjustment by highlighting its continued investments in equipment, infrastructure upgrades, and process optimization. The terminal operator maintained that these changes are necessary to “achieve improved supply chain efficiency via e-commerce products, flexibility, reliability, and a safe and cost-effective manner” for both the company and its customers.
The terminal described itself as a “customer-centric business” committed to providing “excellent customer experience” and delivering “best-in-class service” to its clients.
Industry watchers are concerned that this significant increase, particularly the doubling of storage charges, might affect the cost of imported goods and potentially contribute to inflation if importers pass these additional costs to consumers.