The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Barge operators target $200m CVFF

    Barge operators target $200m CVFF

    Muyiwa Lucas

     

    FOLLOWING the reversal of the ban on cargo evacuation from the Lagos ports by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), attention has shifted to how barge operators can benefit from the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to improve their operations.

    At the weekend, stakeholders in the sub-sector, under the aegis of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to carry out due diligence on the disbursement of the CVFF so that members of the association could access the fund to grow their businesses.

    The President of BOAN, Edeme Kelikume, called on NIMASA to improve on capacity development for seafarers, especially deck men and captains, saying that there is shortage of manpower in the industry to manage operations.

    He said available records indicate that 300,000 20-feet Equivalent Unit (TEU) of containers were moved by barges last year, while the national output was 1.8million TEUs. This figure, he said, still paces the operators in the subsector at below 20 percent of the total capacity of the market space, with trucking still accounting for the balance.

    “Barging is not new in Nigeria.  It has been going on in the Niger Delta for years. However, using barges to evacuate cargoes from the port is fairly recent. Today, we have about 30 barge operators under NPA. Though it is a new industry capacity development, it is very important. We are working with NIMASA to see how it can train more people – the deck men – the captains;  how we can have the right equipment,” he said.

    He continued: “There is also a talk about the Cabotage Fund, which has been moribund for a couple of years. It is important for the fund to be accessed by our members so that we can build new equipment that would, ultimately, lead to safer operations.”

    “We have a challenge of high cost of operations. The other challenge is windows to pick cargoes from the port terminals.”

    The association also used the opportunity to call on Ali to issue a circular, directing officers at the command to resume the evacuation of cargoes by barges. Customs had earlier stop the evacuation of cargoes by barge, alleging that some barge operators were using the advantage to divert cargoes to illegal warehouses without paying duties on them.

    The BOAN chief, however, contended that though Ali had done well in reversing the ban, BOAN would be appreciative if he   documented the reversal order.

    “We heard it in the media and from senior Customs officials who confirmed to us that, indeed, it has been reversed,  but it is very important to us as it is done in government circles that the reversal be properly documented for future reference. There are skeletal operations at the moment,  a few of the officers are using their discretion to allow operations to commence. However, a few of them are still awaiting the circular before allowing full operations to commence,” he pleaded.

    Similarly, the National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tony Nwabunike, commended the Customs for heeding the cry of stakeholders by suspending its earlier circular banning movement of containers by barges.

    According to him, the Customs Service has the right to do what it wanted, but it is important that they carry stakeholders along in implementing any of their activities.

    Nwabunike argued that ANLCA and the barge operators are increasing the revenue from the maritime industry, and they should be applauded for that.

    “We are urging our members to be law abiding and compliant to the laws guiding our areas of work. We thank Customs for giving us opportunity to come back  and ferry our cargoes by barges, given the level of gridlock we are experiencing at the port.

    “Using barges to evacuate containers is the best right now because the roads are bad, and it is equally a world-standard practice, especially in the KYOTO Convention,” he added.

     

  • NPA goes tough to prevent spread of COVID 19

    NPA goes tough to prevent spread of COVID 19

    As Covid-19 spreads, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has mapped out strategies to prevent the virus through the sea by providing instruments for its officials and beam its searchlight on persons and vessels coming to ports, OLUWAKEMI DAUDA reports.

     

    THE battle for the prevention of coronavirus has moved to the ports. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is collaborating with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and other agencies to ensure that workers, seafarers and stakeholders coming into the ports are screened against the Coronavirus to prevent its spread.

    Seafarers and the dockworkers are the first point of contact when a foreign vessel is coming in.

     

    COVID-19

    COVID-19 emerged in China last December. It has caused the death of over 13,000 worldwide. Its symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath.

    COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Already, seafarers calling at the seaports, it was learnt, have been mandated by the Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman and her management team, to wear masks and take precautionary measures to avoid being infected.

    NPA expects seafarers to remain on board  and disembark when  their vessels when they are kitted.

    NPA, it was gathered, also requires every ship to report the temperature of its crew before entry.

    NPA officials are mandated  to alert  the Authority  to any case of coronavirus. These include symptoms of flu or high temperature.

    Investigation revealed that the Port Health officials of the Authority have been deployed to various ports for sensitisation and monitoring.

    Ms. Usman said NPA had put  measures in place to safeguard crew or cargo before they disembark from vessels, saying that once a vessel carrying yellow flag is sighted by the Harbour Master, Port Health would be notified.

    “Once Port Health is notified, the vessel will be taken to a separate location where there will be immediate health assessment before anyone or cargo will be allowed to disembark,”she said, adding that the authority is very conscious of the virus and has made several interactions with the Federal Ministry of Health.

    She said visitors and staff were also checked at the gate of the NPA office complex to ensure they were free from any illness.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Jatto Adams, said safety measures  taken by the NPA were expected to limit the spread of the virus.

    “For instance, the management has directed exit screening at all ports to isolate passengers displaying symptoms of the disease and curb its spread in the country.

    “All major ports across the world have adopted a 14-day quarantine period for vessels arriving from or transiting through China. Vessels arriving from China are required to report regarding the health of the crew members and passengers prior to berthing and NPA is not left out,” he  said.

     

    Steps taken by the IMO

    After the outbreak of coronavirus, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) warned that they should minimise the risks to seafarers, passengers and others in the industry through a circular dated January 31. The circular is based on recommendations by the WHO.

    The organisation stated that owners and managers of ships should ensure that seafarers and passengers on board  were provided with measures to reduce the risk of exposure for ships.

    It noted that vessels should report the temperature of their crew to the port authorities.

     

    Call for action

    The Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, said the Port Health Service (PHS) and the Port Quarantine should increase the awareness among port users.

    The ANLCA chief added that the terminal operators must not fail to provide kits for the dockworkers  on onboard.

    Farinto said awareness and safety against coronavirus should not be left with officials of NPA alone. He advised  that the crew onboad incoming vessels should be quarantined before dockworkers could go onboard.

    He said each  terminal must collaborate with NPA and other government agencies at the port.

    “With the measures taken so far by the Federal and some state governments, it becomes necessary for every agency of the government to support the laudable move to prevent the spread of the pandemic virus.

    “The seafarers onboard the vessels  coming Asia, China, Singapore, among other countries, where the virus has spread to. What happens to dockworkers in Nigeria? That is where the collaboration among the NPA, NIMASA, Shippers Council, Immigration, Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies at the ports becomes necessary.

    Apart from the NPA, findings revealed that the management of NIMASA and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has put measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.

     

    Precaution

    NPA said precautionary measures had been put in place to curb the virus by diverting any vessel flying yellow flags to a special location for health assessment.

    Yellow flag is displayed on ships to indicate the presence of disease or quarantine.

    Also, the authority’s image maker said the agency had embarked on campaign to prevent the virus.

    He explained that the Port Health and Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) officials were at the ports to screen people going in and out of the various terminals.

    Jatto said NPA officials were at the port to ensure that people take precaution.

    Also, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tin Can Island Command has advised its officers to take precautions while examining cargoes.

    At the “Awareness/Sensitisation Workshop on novel coronavirus” in Lagos, the Area Controller of   the command, Compt. Musa Abdullahi, urged officers and stakeholders to adhere to the measures.

    Some of the measures, he said, include include use of face masks, hand sanitisers, especially those with alcohol content to kill germs, hand gloves, and frequent washing of hands.

    Musa advised officers to report people with strange cases, such as abnormal coughing, sneezing and fever, which are some of the symptoms of the coronavirus.

    He said: “Simple hygiene, such as washing of our hands, and face, use of sanitisers, face masks, and gloves, etc are very vital. Prevention is always better than cure.”

    Also, the command’s Deputy Controller, Enforcement, Dera Nnadi, said the virus wouldn’t survive on inanimate objects beyond three days.

    He urged officers to inform their divisions and the port stakeholders and their colleagues to deploy the safety measures.

    A port health expert, Mr Frank Adegoroye, urged stakeholders in the industry to collaborate with the government to end the spread of the virus.

    “I think we need more enlightenment. We have an index case in Nigeria, but it hasn’t got to the stage where everybody needs to start wearing face masks all over the place. I think the people need to be more educated about the issue of the virus and follow the government’s directives at every stage to control the spread of the virus.

    “It is people who have respiratory tract infections or who have been confirmed to have the virus that need face masks so as to prevent the spread to people around them. Those taking care of such people or staying close to them also need to wear face masks like to prevent the virus from getting into their respiratory system. But for the rest of us, I don’t think it is necessary.

    “It hasn’t got to that stage in Nigeria, so this is just a panic buying. If you go to pharmaceuticals these days, you won’t even see sanitisers anymore and even where they are available, they are very expensive.

    “It’s like a case of demand and supply in economics; when there is a sudden stampede or demand for a product or service, like we have for face masks. Naturally, some people will cash in on that and start making business out of it without necessarily thinking about the health of the nation and its huge population.

     

     

     

  • Hapag Lloyd Liner berths at Ports & Cargo Terminal

    Hapag Lloyd Liner berths at Ports & Cargo Terminal

    Muyiwa Lucas

     

    TERMINAL port operator and concessionaire of Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, a member of the SIFAX Group, has added a new client to its list.

    The latest addition, Hapag Lloyd AG Limited, a German international shipping and container transportation company, which is the world’s fifth largest container carrier in terms of vessel capacity, made its maiden call at the terminal recently with one of its largest vessel, Navious Azure, a container ship built in 2007 with gross tonnage of 39,906 tonnes and length of 260.5m.

    Receiving the vessel’s crew at the terminal, Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr. John Jenkins, expressed the company’s delight at the vessel’s maiden call, adding that the development is a testimony of the terminal’s readiness to provide cutting-edge port terminal services to more clients.

    “We are excited to have this ship berth at our terminal today. We are delighted that Hapag Lloyd, which is one the world’s largest ocean shipping fleet owners, prefer our terminal for their operations and the shipping line will call frequently at this terminal. This business relationship with Hapag Lloyd is one of several partnerships we have been working on in the past few months. This new wave of patronage is a result of the massive investment we have made both in modern equipment, quality personnel and improved processes over the years. All these have translated in better service delivery, which is what an average client wants,” he said.

    Captain John Trafiero, expressed his joy at berthing at one of Africa’s prime ports. “This is a resounding welcome we have received here today and it would stick in our memories wherever we sail to. Though we are sailing back very soon, my crew and I cannot wait to be back here again,” he said.

  • Coronavirus affecting top US two busiest ports

    Coronavirus affecting top US two busiest ports

    By  Muyiwa Lucas

     

    The Port of Los Angeles, the United States busiest port, has seen a 22.9 per cent decrease in handled containers for last month compared with the same month last year amid the coronavirus impact.

    The coronavirus outbreak has caused a major disruption to the supply chain, resulting in an increase of canceled sailings and a reduction in cargo moving through the nation’s ports.

    “While cargo volumes are important, the coronavirus is first and foremost a public health crisis that needs to be brought under control with the collaboration of governments and medical experts from around the world,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

    “We are more interconnected than ever with our global partners so it’s no surprise that Trans-Pacific maritime trade has been significantly impacted.

    “As factory production in China remains at low levels, we expect soft volumes in March. Looking ahead to anticipated manufacturing improvements, we will need to return empty containers to Asia and push lingering U.S. export boxes out swiftly,” Seroka added.

    “We’re actively working with our supply chain partners to be prepared for a cargo surge once production levels ramp up.”

    February imports decreased by 22.5 per cent to 270,025 TEUs compared to the previous year, while exports decreased by 5.7 per cent to 134,468 TEUs. Empty containers declined 35 per cent to 139,544 TEUs.

    In total, February volumes, also adversely impacted by the Lunar New Year holiday celebrated in Asia, totaled 544,037 TEUs. For the first two months of 2020, total container volumes reached 1.35 million TEUs, down 13% compared to last year.

    February cargo volume at the Port of Long Beach declined as well due to fewer ship calls amid the coronavirus outbreak and lingering effects of the trade dispute with China.

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    Terminal operators and dockworkers moved 538,428 TEUs last month, down 9.8 per cent compared to February 2019. Imports dropped 17.9 per cent to 248,592 TEUs, while exports increased 19.3 per cent to 125,559 TEUs. Empty containers sent overseas decreased by 12.8 per cent to 164,277 TEUs.

    Although a Phase 1 preliminary trade agreement was signed in January by the United States and China, about USD 370 billion in Chinese goods remain under the increased tariffs, the port authority said.

    “With the extended factory closures and slowdown of goods movement in China and other Asian countries in February due to Lunar New Year and COVID-19, we are seeing shipping lines needing to cancel some sailings,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach.

    “Once the virus is contained, we may see a surge of cargo, and our terminals, labor and supply chain will be ready to handle it.”

    ”Along with the economic effects of reduced trade due to the health situation, we also have the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Long Beach. We hope for the swift recovery of these individuals,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal.

    “The port will continue to monitor the outbreak internationally, and work with our stakeholders to keep our crucial link in the supply chain open and operating.”

     

  • Indigenous firm builds airboat, wins award

    Indigenous firm builds airboat, wins award

    By  Muyiwa Lucas

     

    An indigenous firm, MG Vowgas Limited, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been commended for building a specialised airboat that has the capability to move on land and on water.

    The boat, known as air ballistic boat, can be fitted with arms and ammunition to fire on land or sea. It was built with local content.

    This feat has won the company  the “Local Content Company of the Year” Award, at the just-concluded Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS).

    This achievement has made stakeholders to clamour for government to support indigenous companies to do more. One of such calls was made by Lawrence Nwachukwu, a player in the oil, gas and maritime industries.

    According to him, if indigenous firms are supported by the government and its agencies, they would be in a position to provide the much needed employment opportunities for many Nigerians presently roaming the streets for non-existing jobs.

    “If in its own little way, this company can do this, imagine what it will do if it is given the desired support by the government. I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that not only MG Vowgas Limited but other firms would be in a position to address the numerous challenges posed by unemployment in the country.

    It will also address the issue of insecurity in the country. This is due to the fact that anyone who is fully engaged in any meaningful venture will not be readily available for insurgency, banditry, terrorism or any other form of criminal activities in the country.

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    That is why I am of the view that the government should do everything possible to build indigenous capacity in all sectors of the economy especially in the oil and gas industry, as well as the maritime sector of the economy,” he added.

    The Group Managing Director of MG Vowgas Limited, Mr. Godwin Izomor, said firm is ready to partner with the Nigeria Army to produce some of the equipment the military procures from overseas for its operations.

    He maintained that the firm has what it takes to deliver on its mandate, particularly in the production of the much needed specialised equipment for the military. The firm is also working closely with the Defence Research and Development Bureau (BRDB) of the Ministry of Defence to build ballistic missiles, submarines, satellite rockets and other specialised equipment for the military.

    His words: “We have what it takes to deliver. We have the facilities. We also have the personnel, Nigerians and expatriates. What we need is the support and encouragement of stakeholders particularly the government. I can assure you that when we get the support from all stakeholders, the sky is the limit for what we want to achieve in the months ahead.”

    To ensure the sustainability of the company’s operations, Izomor revealed that the Nigerian personnel in the company are already understudying some of the expatriates so that with time, they would be in a position to effectively take over their present roles and responsibilities in the firm.

    According to him, some military chiefs have also visited the company’s facilities and were impressed by what they met on ground. “We demonstrated what this boat can do on land and water to his entourage.

    The military chief and his entourage saw what we have on ground at our facility and they were impressed by the strides we have made so far. Remember, this is a wholly indigenous firm. In line with the provisions of the Local Content Act, we source most of our materials locally,” he said.

     

     

  • History as Maersk Line’s first direct service ship berths at Onne

    History as Maersk Line’s first direct service ship berths at Onne

    By  Muyiwa Lucas

     

    The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has received Maersk’s first direct service container ship from Far East at the Onne Port in Rivers State.

    The vessel, a gearless 4,800 24-feet Equivalent Unit (TEU) capacity carrier, sailed into Onne Port with Maersk Line flagship under its FEW3 service, thereby becoming the first Maersk vessel to call at Onne Port without first calling at any Lagos port.

    WACT’s Commercial Manager, Noah Sheriff, said with the development, the FEW3 service has started. He said the company, with its Mobile Harbour Cranes, has been positioned to handle such  vessels.

    Sheriff further said the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) initiative to bring larger vessels into other ports aligned with WACT’s Phase 2 terminal upgrade project, which would ensure that its mobile harbour cranes and other container handling equipment are increased by the third quarter of this year.

    “It is important to note that this new service will call WACT Onne weekly, coupled with the benefit of a short transit time for cargo coming from Far East. This is a product many customers have been asking, and we at WACT shall ensure that we turn these vessels around quickly,” Sheriff said.

    The East Nigeria Manager of Maersk Nigeria Limited, Chibuzor Ejiofor, said the ship call was historic and would benefit businesses in the area and its surroundings. She said there is a need to create awareness on the coming of KYPARISSIA not because she’s one of the largest vessels that ever called at Onne, but she is the first Far East vesselto call at Onne without calling at Lagos ports.

    “Not to impact the Onne based customers or cargo destined for eastern Nigeria so much, Maersk decided to put Onne on a direct service from Far East, that doesn’t mean that Maersk doesn’t call Lagos. We are still calling Tin Can and Apapa but that is on another service altogether. We now have a service that comes all the way from the Far East to Onne without calling Lagos.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to compensate terminal operators over port rails

     

    “So, for Onne based customers, I think that’s something to be really attractive as it adds value to your business. You can get your cargo on time directly from Far East without adding 30 days of Lagos waiting time. You can turn around your money, your products and that’s why we are here just to recognise this unique offering to our customers,” she said.

    The Port Manager, Onne Port, Ismaila Al-Hassan, who was represented at a brief reception for the gearless vessel by the port’s Traffic Manager, Prince Zhattau, described the direct service to the port as a welcome development as it would help to decongest Lagos ports.

    WACT has been handling gearless vessels, which previously could only be handled at the ports in Lagos, since 2019 after spending $14 million in its Phase 1 upgrade to acquire modern cargo equipment including two Mobile Harbour Cranes, 14 specialised terminal trucks and two reach stackers. The investment brought high operational efficiency and set WACT apart from other ports in Nigeria.

    Stakeholders maintained that WACT, which has become the preferred container terminal outside the Lagos area, was fast gaining  reputation as the gateway to eastern Nigeria and the alternative to the ports in Lagos.

    The company said it would deploy new equipment— three additional Mobile Harbour Cranes to bring the number of cranes at the terminal to five; 20 Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and three Reach Stackers in its Phase 2 upgrade in the next 18 months.

     

     

  • Fed Govt shops for new investor for Jos Inland Dry Port

    Fed Govt shops for new investor for Jos Inland Dry Port

    Our Reporter

     

    The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), is shopping for another investor for the Jos Inland Dry Port, The Nation has learnt.

    The former concessionaire of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Heipang, Jos, Plateau State, Duncan Maritime Ventures, it was also gathered, has pulled out of the project.

    NSC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hassan Bello, said the government through the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amechi has given a directive that all Inland Container Depot Projects (ICD) must be completed and inaugurated as soon as possible to boost the economy.

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    He noted that the Council promotes and facilitates the establishment of ICD on the basis of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

    The ICD, he stated, is to bring shipping to the doorsteps of shippers, assist in decongesting the seaport and revive and modernise the railway.

    The Managing Director of Duncan Maritime Limited, Mr Bartho Nyelong, said the company’s inability to implement the Jos Inland Dry Port project was due to certain challenges that made them back out of the project.

    A senior official of the Plateau State Government, Mr Ezekiel Gomos, said the state government was enthusiastic about the project and the opportunities the ICD will bring to the development of the state and its people.

     

  • Stakeholders set agenda for new NIMASA chief

    Stakeholders set agenda for new NIMASA chief

    Stakeholders in the industry have set agenda for the new Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bashir Jamoh, to help him reposition the agency, increase revenue, boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce conflict between regulator and businesses, writes OLUWAKEMI DAUDA.

     

     

    Stakeholders in the industry have stressed the need for the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Bashir Jamoh, his management team,  business owners and operators to follow the laid down principles and the guidelines set up by the Federal Government to end the unstructured and chaotic business environment and erosion of maritime business margins.

    Jamoh was appointed last week to replace Dr Dakuku Peterside, who has ended his four-year tenure.

    NIMASA is the foremost maritime regulatory agency in Nigeria. It was established on August 1, 2006, after the merger of the National Maritime Authority (NMA), Government Inspector of Shipping (GIS) and the Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC), with additional functions, and by a new Act, which became effective from May 25, 2007.

    The stakeholders spoke with The Nation in separate interviews  at the weekend.

    A maritime lawyer and one of the stakeholders, Dr Dipo Alaka, said Jamoh must ensure that the agency is effective and efficient during his tenure.

    “As a matter of urgency, Jamoh needs to initiate ideas that will elevate operations in the maritime sector to international best practices by making our waters safe and secure; collaborate with the stakeholders and operators in the effort to move the sector forward; and  provide atmosphere conducive for the private sector to operate effectively in the maritime, in addition to necessary incentives for indigenous ship owners,” Alaka said.

    Jamoh, the university don added, must attract local and foreign investors as part of efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to reposition the  industry.

    “The new DG must improve Nigeria’s balance of payments position by enhancing the earning and conservation of foreign exchange from the shipping industry; use the national shipping policy as instrument of promoting the export trade of the country to accelerate the rate of growth of the national economy.

    “As an insider, this is the time for NIMASA to ensure the greater participate ion of indigenous shipping lines in crude oil lifting; promote the acquisition of shipping technology by creating and diversifying employment opportunities in the shipping industry, through the stimulation and protection of indigenous shipping companies; offer protection to Nigerian vessels flying the nation’s flag on the high seas and world seaports; increase the participation by indigenous  shipping lines in ocean shipping, encourage the increase of ownership of ships and the achievement of indigenous skills in maritime transport technology; achieve a systematic control of the mechanics of sea transportat ion; and promote the training of Nigerians in maritime transport technology and as seafarers so that the country can rake in several billions of dollars from international maritime trade.

    “Jamoh must also promote Nigeria’s carrying rights of at least 40 per cent of the freight in revenue and volume of the total trade to and from Nigeria and grant assistance to indigenous companies for fleet expansion and ship ownership.’’

    The new DG, Alaka added, must  harness the vast potential of the industry to boost economic growth.

    Good policies, the maritime lawyer said, should be put in place by the new NIMASA chief to make the maritime sector a new attraction for investors.

    The Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, said the DG, should turn around the agency and placed it on a good position to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy like the time of his predeccessor Dr Dakuku Peterside.

    Jamoh, he said, should remain focused on supporting the Federal Government’s drive to take the economy to a greater height by taking the industry out of the woods.

    “He must see to the continuous engagement of the stakeholders because it is a potent means of identifying additional values in the maritime industry. Now is the time for NIMASA to create the balance that is needed to ease the ways of doing business at the ports.

    “Port operations require synergy because there is need for unity, co-operation and integration to enable both government and stakeholders to have smooth operations. Jamoh needs to engage stakeholders in mediation and motivation to ensure a level playing ground among port operators.

    “The former DG, Dr Dakuku Peterside, created indelible marks while in office. Many Nigerians  realised the laudable efforts  he  put in place to make Nigerian waters attractive for business during his four-year tenure and Jamoh must be ready to build on that,” Farinto said.

    The ANLCA chief said the country deserved to be granted the Category C position by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which the country bidded for in the last election and urged the new DG to collaborate with sister countries so that Nigeria can win the prestigious position during his tenure.

    However, reactions from a senior terminal operator, who spoke with The Nation under the condition of anonymity, revealed that the agency must wake up from its slumber, have better listening ears and use the next four years to correct its mistakes and consolidate on its previous performance and gains

    “Nigeria’s maritime industry has suffered poor policy implementation, inconsistent administrators, lack of skilled manpower, corruption, among other factors; these have resulted to failure in actualising the enormous potential available in our maritime sector.

    “That is why the new DG must  see his appointment as an opportunity to serve and respond to the aspirations of stakeholders in the maritime industry and make an impact on the economy.

    “He needs to build a viable and veritable port community that works on technologically driven processes to establish interconnectivity within the agency and port system so that all stakeholders can link and be able to respond to issues with minimum time delay because we are operating in a very competitive environment in the region.

    “There is also a need for manpower development to build capacity to have skilled workforce that can deliver and increase productivity to ensure that we have a competitive stance as the country looks forward to becoming the major driver of port operations in the West and Central-African region.

    “Our international trade is vast, over $24 billion is spent on importing goods and services into Nigeria and Nigerians have to benefit from the very wide and sophisticated process.”

    The President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Eugene Nweke, also urged Jamoh to build on the achievements of Peterside in Shipping Development/Service Delivery, Carbotage, Maritime Safety and Security, NIMASA’s Maritime Security Strategy at Strategic and Operational level, establishment of Integrated National Maritime Surveillance and Security Infrastructure, Global Maritime Security Conference, and Maritime Labour.

    Others include marine and environment management, rejigging of the Nigerian Ship Registry, ISPS Code implementation, women empowerment, Nigerian Maritime Industry Forecast, Maritime Industry Corporate Dinner and Awards organised by NIMASA.

    The new DG, other stakeholders said, should improve on the laudable  platforms created by Peterside for dispute resolution among vessels owners; create a platform to aid speedy completion of vessels transactions within two weeks after departure; create a platform  to end double, over and under billing; adopted satellite surveillance technologies, intelligence systems for improved maritime domain awareness; adopt a tech system  to identify vessel’s visit to Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone, suspicious activities, facilitate participation of indigenous operators at international Maritime Expos and Trade Fairs; secure buy-in of some state governments into the public sector cargo support initiative of the agency; bring grant of Cabotage waiver to a gradual end on course; plan for indigenous operators to go into joint ventures and joint ownership of vessels with foreign operators on a 60-40 basis; bareboat charter of vessels increases under Indigenous and foreign operator partnership; decline in foreign-owned vessels on Nigeria’s Cabotage register;  tremendous increase of Nigerian vessels on the Nigerian Cabotage register and work with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to qualified indigenous ship owners, among others.

     

  • Shipowners want NIMASA’s attention

    Shipowners want NIMASA’s attention

    By Muyiwa Lucas

    The Nigerian Indigenous Ship-owners Association (NISA) has urged the leadership of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to prioritise industry stakeholders’ interest.

    A member of the NISA Steering Committee, Captain Taiwo Akinpelumi, made his appeal at the weekend.

    He described the immediate past Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, as a glamourous administration which failed to tackle top industry issues.

    Akinpelumi, also the Chief Executive Officer, Oceanic Energy Limited, expressed optimism that with stakeholders’ interest as top priority, NIMASA could usher in development of the industry.

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    “The new administration must address the non-disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund and the proposed Maritime Fund that nobody is talking about. They must recognise associations which seek to address the industry issues and not only relate with individuals who chase personal gains,” he said.

    Akinpelumi regretted that the situation of seafarers and ship-owners has not fared better  in the last four years. This, he said, was irrespective of the assistance offered by members of NISA to help as technocrats to show the path to follow  to develop indigenous shipping, which unfortunately, was not appreciated by the agency.

    He fumed at the floating dock acquired by NIMASA, which is wasting away at the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Although the Peterside administration did not initiate the N50 billion floating dock project, Akinpelumi blamed the NIMASA boss for allowing the investment rot away at the Naval Dockyard, thereby incurring $30,000 daily for over a year.

  • MWUN to govt: end casualisation

    MWUN to govt: end casualisation

    By Muyiwa Lucas

    The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Shipping and Freight Forwarding Branch, has  urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to caution shipping line agencies over downsizing of workers.

    The body also disclosed that in the last six years, there had been massive job loss of workers in the su- sector, hence the need for the government to put the multinationals in check.

    The union’s President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, who had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to shipping firms over poor remuneration of workers, also reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to ensuring that the port corridors are free from gridlock. He urged the conglomerates to acquire holding bays and parking lots in order to encourage easy movement of vehicles.

    Read Also: Maritime security: Nigeria acquires Special Mission vessels

    But in a renewed efforts to draw the attention of the Federal Government and lawmakers to their plight, the National President, Shipping and Courier Branch, MWUN, Ekpeyong Etim Ekpeyong, urged lawmakers to expedite actions on the passage of the bill that would stop outsourcing and employment of contract workers into law for the betterment of the citizens. “We pray that the bill should sail through because the shipping sub sector has not benefitted in this regards. What the principals are doing now is to come to Nigeria and do business without regard for workers and the indigenous managers are not helping the issues because of selfish interest,” he said.

    Ekpeyong also frowned at the lacklustre attitude of the shipping lines to respond to issues affecting workers, adding that the union will not take it likely at the expiration of the 21- day ultimatum. He alleged that the conglomerates are majorly concerned about profit making and not to better the lots of workers, pointing out that the employees are not carried along in the area of welfarism.

    Ekpeyong lamented that despite the huge investment on infrastructure, the shipping conglomerates are basically concerned on how to maximise profit and not to improve on workers welfare. He however admitted that the shipping line agencies have improved in the area of training and re-training of employees, but added that remuneration of workers have not been encouraging in the last six years.