The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Port partners private investors

    The Lagos Port is partnering the private sector to boost service delivery.

    Also, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) said it wants its customer service week, celebrated worldwide in every first week of October, to be remarkable.

    Speaking to reporters at a forum to mark the event, Manager, Lagos Port, Mr Nasir Anas Mohammed, said: “We are looking beyond just observing this event on an annual basis. We want to see how we can add value to the community.

    “The Apapa Local Government is very disposed towards this arrangement and they are really encouraging us. We are observing this year’s programme together.”

    On efforts to remove rickety trucks from the ports, he explained: “We are engaging some private partners who are going to bring in brand new trucks.

    “They will operate a consolidated truck management system, whereby only these new trucks will have access to the ports. This will also bring about peace of mind on the part of shippers concerning their cargoes.”

    He continued: “This will also erase the issue of traffic bottlenecks that usually arise due to bad and old trucks coming into the ports.

    “Our safety department has been discussing with the truck drivers on the minim um safety standard of the type of trucks that should come in the ports. We want to make them see that it is for their own good.”

    He added: “The new trucks will become operational within the next one year. We are trying to ensure that the various truck associations come together and consolidate to form one or three holding companies so that they can source these vehicles that are being provided by the private companies.

    “Because when they consolidate, it will be easier for them to get loans or support from other agencies of government which help’s them to dispose the rickety and old trucks they are using.”

  • Stick to your desk, Customs officials urged

    Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has charged officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to mind their areas of specialisation.

    He spoke at a lecture titled: Integrity and professionalism – A panacea for effective customs duty, for new Customs recruits at the Apapa Area Command.

    He said each custom officer has an area of comparative competence for which he has been specially trained, lamenting that most customs officers abandon their specialised areas.

    “What we find today is that most of the officers and men, for example, who should show professionalism in their jobs jettison this to dabble into areas that they are not best trained or assigned to.

    ‘’Many officers want to perform the function of a valuation officer as a good example. This arises from the fact that they believe that these are the areas that the “gravy” is. Integrity and professionalism is thrown to the dogs,” he said.

    He said customs officers, who do this, create a clog in the laid down cargo clearance procedures and hinder efficient trade facilitation.

     

  • NIMASA asked to prioritise seafarers’ training

    A Mariner, Capt. Dennis Osah, has urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to give more attention to training of seafarers at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom.

    He said in Lagos that the academy should be the first institution to be considered by NIMASA for the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

    He said the academy deserved to be adequately equipped to train cadets to have sea-time experience and to acquire the needed international standards.

    Osah, who is the first President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), said: “All things being equal, the MAN should be at the heart of the development programme for the seafarers.’’

    The mariner commended the initiative of NIMASA in sending cadets abroad under the NSDP, but insisted that the MAN, Oron, must be given the needed attention by the government.

    He advised the Federal Government to resuscitate the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and concession it to private operators.

  • Nuhu tasks agents on trade

    Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Isa Nuhu, has said when clearing agents, importers and customs officers play their roles in international trade, it will help facilitate trade in the country.

    He stated this when executives of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Airport Chapter, led by its Chairman, Segun Musa, paid a courtesy visit to his office.

    Speaking after a closed door meeting with the NAGAFF airport team, Nuhu said when importers and their agents learn to give honest declaratons in their customs documentation, trade will be facilitated and will be devoid of hitches.

    He said the unit will only pledge its support to any association that is ready to be complaint and do the right thing.

    “Everybody has his own responsibility; responsibility of the importers, agents and customs officers. If everybody plays his (sic) own role, we will have a smooth working operations. It is when somebody decides to play against the rule, that is when you will begin to have hitches,” he added.

     

  • LADOL to begin FPSO construction, integration in 2015

    LADOL to begin FPSO construction, integration in 2015

    The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) in LADOL Free Zone is poised to begin the construction of its fabrication yard where floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels will be built and integrated.

    Its Project Manager, Phaethon Payiatis said in Lagos that the construction of the yard would begin next month while the fabrication and integration of FPSOs will start in 2015.

    He said the company has also made plans to dredge the harbour to get the right draft. He said the 14,000 square metre yard would handle 5,000 tonnes of steel and that necessary approvals from the appropriate regulatory agencies.

    LADOL’s Managing Director Dr. Amy Jadesimi said the company was carrying out the project with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) of Korea. She explained that contrary to reports, LADOL has done some major jobs for some oil companies , including Chevron’s Agbami FPSO.

    She said as at September, the company had invested $62.6 million in the $500 million facility, adding that, on completion, the project will generate 5,000 jobs inside LADOL and 50,000 jobs outside; it will attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI) as well as technology into Nigeria.

    She said: “LADOL is the only 100 per cent Nigerian logistics base owner in Nigeria and the only one to develop a facility from zero value Greenfield Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) site into $500 million world class base. LADOL is now expanding its facilities and its proven business model of private indigenous Nigerian lead development of facilities into Bayelsa as well as extending its facility in Lagos with a $500 million additional investment.

    “LADOL’s joint venture with Samsung to build Nigeria’s first and Africa’s only FPSO facility will make Nigeria Africa’s maritime, oil and gas hub creating 100,000 jobs. LADOL has been given all required approvals to proceed with construction and based on the approvals the government has given, $62.5 has been invested. This is new private investment in developing infrastructure in Nigeria.”

    She also noted that based on researched facts, the most suitable site for FPSO integration in Nigeria is LADOL and the least suitable site is Nigerdock. The Nigerdock site shouldn’t be considered for integration owing mainly to operational consideration and the unacceptable high risk to the FPSO hull of traversing the narrow path to Nigerdock.

    She said the zone is located on a peninsula five minutes away from personnel and cargo jetties and being immediately next to the entrance to Lagos Harbour, it can easily accommodate the largest vessels and barges and it guarantees the fastest turnaround times.

    Besides, LADOL is registered as an International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code certified port facility with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and receives local and international vessels. With 200m quay, 8.5m draft, 25 ton/m2 high load bearing area and additional 30 ton bollards at either end, the quay can accommodate up to six supply vessels and three heavy lift vessels simultaneously. Since products are piped directly through ducts in the quay, vessels’ turnaround time can be less than eight hours. The quay is being extended by additional 1,000m this year, she added.

  • Shippers’ Council for Trade Fair

    The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is participating at the on-going Eighth Abuja International Trade Fair at the J.T. Useni, International Trade Fair Complex, Abuja.

    This year’s fair, with the theme: Promoting the culture of production and innovation in SMEs to achieve competitiveness and national developments, will offer opportunities for business development and also serve as a platform for participants to showcase their goods and services.

    The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is at the fair to publicise its function and services as well as handle complaints from shippers while also expecting them to be enlightened on the Council’s Information Technology facilities.

    The Council in line with its statutory functions has been protecting the interest of shippers and had actively participated in all the Abuja International Trade Fair since inception.

    This year’s fair, which attracted international participants from Ghana, Senegal, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, multinational firms and investors in Nigeria, is expected to end tomorrow.

     

  • Seized poultry products destroyed

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command has seized and destroyed 170 cartons of imported poultry products with duty-paid value (DPV) of N1,105,000.

    The Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Mr Benjamin Binga, said the products were seized after a tip-off at Idiroko, Ogun State.

    He said no arrest was made as the smugglers allegedly jumped into the water on sighting the Customs operatives.

    He said while smugglers are adamant in bringing in prohibited items, his men will also not relent in clamping down on their nefarious activities.

    The command, he added, also impounded 288 bags of rice and 25 gallons of vegetable oil with DPV of over N3million and N167, 500.

    The items were intercepted in Badagry, Yekeme and Idiroko last month, according to the command.

  • Apapa port celebrates week

    The Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, for the first time joined the global community in celebrating this year’s Customer Service Week (CSW).

    This year’s celebration with the theme, Think service, which started on Monday, will end on Friday.

    Lagos Port Complex port Manager, Mr Nasir Anas Mohammed, made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Lagos State, Mr Joseph Ayodeji.

    He said the port has earmarked some activities to celebrate the week and recognised its employees, esteemed customers, partners and clients for services rendered, steadfastness, loyalty and patronage.

    He said the activities lined up for the event include breakfast with the port’s employees and stakeholders to show appreciation for their hard work, commitment and loyalty; direct servicing of customers by the Port Manager and management staff and a raffle draw and free gifts.

    Other activities, Mohammed said, include community service, presentation of gifts to schools; visit to motherless babies home within Apapa and a cocktail dinner/award scheduled for Friday.

    The Apapa Local Council chair commended the port management for maintaining a harmonious working relationship with the Council.

    He also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management for supporting the Council as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially in donating vehicles and constructing a new sports field for the Council, promising to participate in the event.

  • No group should collect money at ports, says ANLCA chief

    The National Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has advised officers of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to know the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), the Common External Tariff (CET) regime and explanatory notes in their various operations.

    ANLCA National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, gave the advice at a training initiated by the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Charles Edike, for Assistant Superintendents II serving in the Command.

    He said an understanding of guidelines of cargo clearance in the ports would enable officers to discharge their duties effectively to defend their actions.

    Shittu said while the Customs enforced the government’s policies, the Customs agents implemented the rules. Therefore, when interfacing with agents, clarity of what is expected of them should be uppermost in the officers’ minds.

    He advised the officers to utilise their weekends and public holidays to improve their knowledge in order to make the desired progress in their chosen careers, and also be courteous in relating with others.

    Shittu advised the officers never to report what they are not sure of during physical examination, and not to allow money be their main focus at the expense of doing the right thing.

    The Customs Area Comptroller Edike thanked Shittu for his time in training the officers. He noted that the officers must have been better for it because of the practical examples in the lecture.

    ANLCA chief, while reacting to the recommendations in the report submitted by the committee set up by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to proffer solutions to the problem of congestion at the Lagos ports, said it was not right for an association to collect money from its members in the port premises.

    Shittu said the adoption of this recommendation by the Transport Minister is a right step in the right direction. “It is not right and professional for an association to say that they’ll be collecting money in the ports. We have been saying this for so long. At the national level, we are not in support of collection of fees inside the ports,” he said.

    He said there is an adhoc arrangement made at the chapter levels of the association which members agreed to contribute money to their respective chapter’s purse for handling of their welfare. “There was no general declaration that this is where ANLCA is going to be collecting money,” he added.

    Shittu said ANLCA has worked out better ways of collecting dues from its members.

    He said: “Collection of dues from members has been made easy by the present leadership. I can tell you that our members have never at anytime raised eyebrows over collection. The money being collected was approved by our members at a town hall meeting in 2010/2011, where they voluntarily decided to contribute money from their income to sustain the association. I can also tell you that that was an improved way of collection, because, before then, taskforces were set up who go about harassing people at the gate.

    “Those were the days when things were not being done professionally. But, I can tell you that we don’t have anybody chasing anybody to collect money. We have even designed a better means of collecting money from our people where they pay their money yearly for the purpose of running the affairs of the association.”

     

  • Nigerian for global youth summit

    AMANAGER with the world’s largest shipping company, Maersk Line, Mr Olawunmi Akinyemi, has been selected to attend this year’s One Young World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The event draws notable professionals from other parts of the world with 13 other Maersk Group employees attending.

    This year’s is the fourth in the yearly event, where people such as Kofi Annan and Sir Bob Geldof are expected to inspire the youth.

    On his expectations at the event, Akinyemi, 30, said: “I want to network with people of similar passions and interests; that is, driving change in our sphere of influence; understand what is important to other young people from other parts of the world and get key insights from the major speakers at the summit.”

    Akinyemi, who was employed in 2005, has gone through the Maersk International Shipping Education (MISE) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The One Young World summit is a valuable opportunity for Maersk to develop and inspire would-be leaders, especially in growth market countries where competition for the business, and for the talented people needed to drive it, is strong. In Africa alone, the Group employs more than 10,000 people – and would want to attract even more.

    “The Maersk Group has been doing business in Africa for more than a century, and has operations in almost every country across the continent. We aim to reflect the communities in which we operate and attract talent from the broadest pool possible. We would like to build our diversity further,” said Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Deniz Kirdar True.

    The Maersk Group likewise sees value in exposing the talent to One Young World as a way to further broaden their horizon:

    “We encourage our aspiring leaders to be curious about how things are done in other companies, industries and markets. As a Group, we can benefit by seeking out other perspectives and being open to challenging traditional approaches – and I believe that Young One World offers such an opportunity,” True said.

    The additional thirteen Maersk participants represent several different Maersk businesses and countries, including India, Brazil, South Africa, Guinea, Morocco, Philippines, China, Pakistan and Jordan

    This year’s One Young World summit, held from 2nd to 5th October 2013, and focused on issues including education, youth unemployment, human rights, global business, leadership & government, and sustainable development.