Court freezes activities at Onne Port Berth 12, warns contending parties against transactions

The Rivers State High Court has directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and International Container Terminal Services Nigeria Limited (ICTSI Nigeria Limited) to cease all operations in respect of Berth 12 at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne Port Complex pending the determination of applications before the court.

The order was made by the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on July 17, 2026 in suit no. NHC/1/CS/2025 filed by Deep Offshore Services Nigeria Limited against the NPA and ICTSI Nigeria Limited.

Counsel to the claimant, Ama Etuwewe, SAN, said the court ordered all parties to “stay all actions relating to the subject matter of this suit until the ruling on the motions after vacation.”
Etuwewe said the order was to maintain the status quo at Berth 12 pending determination of the pending applications which have been adjourned to 23 September 2026.

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No party is allowed to enter into lease agreements, grant new rights or interests, build, take possession, commence development or do any act that may alter the existing state of affairs at the facility, the statement said.

He also warned investors, financial institutions, contractors, prospective lessees, buyers, government agencies and other stakeholders against entering into any transaction involving Berth 12 while the court order is still in force.

Etuwewe cautioned that any lease, assignment, financing arrangement, memorandum of understanding, sale, sublease or similar transaction executed in breach of the subsisting order could be declared null and void and would confer no legal rights or protection on the parties involved.

He added that any wilful breach of the court’s order may attract contempt proceedings against the defaulters and attendant legal consequences under the Nigerian law.

The senior advocate urged members of the public and all stakeholders to strictly comply with the court order and not to enter into any transactions touching and concerning Berth 12 until the pending applications are determined or the order varied by the court.