Author: The Nation

Maritime experts have said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has the potential to generate thousands of sea-based jobs across Nigeria’s shipping, port operations, and marine services sectors if the country prioritises marine transportation of refined petroleum products and expands indigenous vessel participation.

With more than 600 vessel calls recorded in its first year of operations, the experts noted that the refinery has already become a central driver of maritime activity, creating opportunities in coastal shipping, crewing, vessel ownership, inspections, port services, and marine logistics.

National President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao, described the refinery as a strategic national asset capable of transforming Nigeria’s maritime economy.

“The Dangote Refinery is a major driver of wealth creation. Its location on the open sea gives Nigeria a strategic advantage for exports and maritime trade,” Alao said.

He explained that the refinery’s deep-water access allows vessels to berth easily and lift products for international markets, while also enabling coastal shuttle services to ports such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar.

Alao said prioritising marine evacuation of refined products would significantly expand employment across the maritime value chain.

“If we focus on marine transportation, it will create jobs in vessel ownership, crewing, port operations, and support services,” he noted.

He urged policymakers to reduce reliance on road haulage, stressing that Nigeria’s tank farm network makes sea transport a safer and more efficient alternative.

Alao added that the scale of operations at the refinery presents a substantial opportunity for increased indigenous participation in the maritime sector.

He said, “Products can be shipped to coastal depots, discharged into tank farms, and then distributed inland by trucks. This approach is more cost-effective and safer.

“The over 600 vessel calls recorded within the first year are a big opportunity for Nigerians to participate actively in maritime business,” he said, calling on banks and financial institutions to provide job-focused funding to maritime operators.

He explained that a 5,000-tonne tanker can move the equivalent of about 150 trucks, each carrying roughly 30 tonnes, and can be loaded within 12 to 18 hours, compared to the extended time and congestion associated with truck movements.

Beyond cargo movement, Alao said the refinery’s operations would sustain professional maritime services.

“Mandatory requirements such as tanker vetting, ship inspection reports, and compliance checks create jobs for Nigerian mariners, surveyors, and inspectors, while supporting certification and professional development,” he said.

On local content, Alao said Nigeria already has legal frameworks that support indigenous participation. He added that stronger enforcement of maritime laws would ensure the country retains more revenue from its maritime trade.

“Existing regulations require full Nigerian crewing and the majority of Nigerian officers on locally owned vessels, and cabotage rules reinforce Nigerian involvement in domestic cargo transport.

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“Nigerian-owned and operated vessels will keep taxable income within the country and prevent revenue losses associated with foreign vessels carrying Nigerian cargo,” Alao said.

Similarly, master mariner and maritime expert, Capt. (Dr) Michael Ifesemen, said the refinery has significantly increased marine activity, translating directly into job creation. He explained that increased ship traffic naturally drives demand for skilled manpower.

“The influx of vessels has expanded demand for marine services and manpower, creating jobs for Nigerians in port operations and other maritime-related activities.

“The more ships that call at the refinery, the greater the requirement for skilled personnel across the sector,” he said.

Ifesemen acknowledged that the dominance of foreign vessels poses challenges for some indigenous operators, but said it also presents an opportunity.

“This creates room for Nigerian ship owners to upgrade their fleets and align with international standards,” he said.

He added that beyond international trade, the refinery would strengthen West African coastal shipping, deepen Nigeria’s participation in regional maritime commerce, and enhance the Cabotage regime.

According to him, evacuating products by sea would also reduce pressure on the country’s road infrastructure and cut government spending on repairs caused by heavy-duty trucks.

“Coastal transshipment along the West African corridor will require barges, many of which are built locally in Nigeria. This will create additional jobs for barge builders and operators,” Ifesemen said.

On the refinery’s long-term impact, he said its operations would attract additional cargo flows, revive activity at underutilised ports, and support sustained employment growth across the maritime sector.

“While international vessels currently dominate operations, Nigerian participation is expected to increase in the medium term as regional distribution expands,” he said.

Ifesemen added that exporting refined petroleum products offers higher revenue than exporting crude oil, stressing the need for Nigeria to maximise the refinery’s maritime and economic potential.