Every year, Nigerian businesses lose contracts, miss delivery windows and write off revenue because a container sat on the wrong side of a demurrage clock. Documentation errors halt clearance. Classification disputes hold cargo for weeks. Trucks don't arrive when containers are released. Storage and detention charges stack silently — and the shipment is no longer the business opportunity it was meant to be.
Ocean freight exists for cargo that values cost efficiency, high volumes, heavy tonnage and predictable transit over the fastest possible delivery. It is the backbone of Nigeria's international trade — moving machinery, vehicles, building materials, agricultural commodities, industrial raw materials, consumer goods and oil-and-gas equipment through our seaports every day.
But ocean freight is not simply a container on a vessel. It is a coordinated chain involving shippers, forwarders, shipping lines, customs agents, terminal operators, stevedores, truckers, banks, warehouses and regulatory agencies. If any one link breaks, the cargo stops — and the costs compound.
"The cheapest ocean freight rate is almost never the cheapest landed cost. Real savings come from documentation done right the first time, customs cleared without delays, and containers evacuated before demurrage begins."
That is what Derockstars does. We combine Nigerian port and customs depth with global shipping line connectivity to move sea freight the way international businesses expect — accurately, compliantly, and on time.
Ten deliberate stages from your first enquiry to final delivery.
You tell us what you are moving, where it is going, and by when.
FCL or LCL decision, container size, shipping line, routing and vessel schedule.
Commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, certificates, permits and product-specific approvals.
Pickup from supplier, container stuffing, cargo securing and port gate-in.
Container accepted at origin port, cleared for export and loaded onto vessel.
Real-time monitoring of vessel departure, ETA, transshipment and cargo status.
Discharge, terminal handling, stacking and yard movement at the destination port.
Form M, PAAR, SGD, duty assessment, scanning or examination and customs release.
Terminal release, truck assignment, port evacuation and inland transportation.
Delivery to warehouse or customer with proof of delivery and empty container return.
From a single consolidated pallet to complex project cargo — we structure each ocean freight solution around your commodity, deadline and regulatory reality.
Specialised ocean shipments require classification, route planning, specialised equipment and controlled handling at every touchpoint.
Oversized machinery, generators, factory equipment and construction cargo. Route surveys, lifting plans, permits and specialised trailers coordinated from origin to destination.
Non-containerised cargo moved as individual units — steel, timber, pipes, and industrial materials. Port handling, stowage and transport coordinated end-to-end.
Cars, trucks, buses and heavy vehicles shipped via Roll-on/Roll-off or containerised methods. Documentation, port handling and door delivery across Nigeria.
Refrigerated containers with validated temperature control for perishables, pharmaceuticals, seafood and temperature-sensitive cargo. Monitoring throughout the voyage.
Tankers and bulk carriers for petroleum products, chemicals, grain, minerals and industrial raw materials. Survey, measurement and reconciliation coordination.
Cocoa, sesame, cashew, ginger and processed agricultural products — documentation, joint inspection and export logistics aligned with Nigerian requirements.
Ocean freight in Nigeria is governed by a precise regulatory framework. Every shipment we move is handled in alignment with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Single Window, and the standards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and terminal operators at each port.
Customs classification, valuation, inspection and terminal release are not administrative formalities — they determine whether your container moves out of the port or accrues demurrage. We treat them accordingly.
HS codes, values and descriptions verified before declaration to prevent disputes, penalties and clearance delays.
Delivery Order tracking, terminal release, and container handover managed proactively to protect free-time windows.
Documented chain-of-custody procedures from terminal discharge to your warehouse door.
Licensed customs brokers, port coordinators and documentation specialists managing every step.
Neither is better. The right choice depends on your cargo, deadline, volume and total landed cost. Here is an honest comparison.
Not sure which is right for your shipment?
Talk to a Logistics SpecialistTransit time depends on origin, destination, carrier, routing and vessel schedule. Asia to Lagos typically takes 25–40 days, Europe to Lagos 20–30 days, and USA to Lagos 25–35 days. Customs clearance and inland delivery add further days after arrival.
Nigeria operates major ports at Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lekki Deep Seaport, Onne, Port Harcourt, PTML, Calabar and Warri. Each serves different cargo types and shipping lines.
FCL uses an entire container for one shipment — ideal for large volumes. LCL consolidates cargo from multiple shippers into one container — ideal for smaller consignments. FCL is faster and more secure; LCL is more economical for small shipments.
Typical documents include Form M, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Single Goods Declaration (SGD), commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading and applicable certificates or permits. We handle all customs documentation end-to-end.
Demurrage is charged when cargo stays at the terminal beyond the free period. Detention applies to shipping-line equipment kept outside the terminal. We monitor free-time deadlines and alert customers before additional charges apply.
Yes. We coordinate international shipping, customs clearance, terminal operations, trucking, warehousing and final delivery as an integrated end-to-end service.
Tell us what you are shipping and where it needs to be. Our ocean freight specialists will deliver a competitive, compliant quote within 24 hours.