WAF Shipping Focus: Week 15

Customs Issues First PAAR Under B’Odogwu Platform, Begins Nationwide Rollout

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the successful issuance of the first Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) under the B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System), marking a significant milestone in the Service’s commitment to technology-driven trade reforms. The achievement follows the recent strategic engagement between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, where both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to seamless trade processes, enhanced revenue collection, and improved financial integration. The B’Odogwu system, developed as an indigenous replacement for the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II).

For further information please check the link below:

Customs issues first PAAR under B’Odogwu platform, begins nationwide rollout – Maritime Today Online

Nigeria’s Maritime Trade Sees Significant Surge in 2024

Nigeria’s maritime trade has shown a remarkable deviation from other modes of foreign trade transport, with goods exported via maritime transport exceeding imports by 39.76% in 2024. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS),

the value of goods exported through maritime transport in 2024 reached N78.37 trillion, surpassing the value of goods imported by sea vessels, which stood at N52.37 trillion. This trend is consistent with the previous year’s data, which showed

maritime exports valued at N36.22 trillion, exceeding maritime imports of N32.19 trillion by 11.78%. Nigeria’s overall trade balance in 2024 was N20.8tn, with exports valued at N79.11tn and imports at N58.31tn.

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Nigeria's Maritime Trade Sees Significant Surge in 2024 - Ships & Ports

Barge Operators Exit Lagos Ports for Port Harcourt, Warri Over Alleged Policy, Operational Setbacks

Checks by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that a significant number of barge operators have begun relocating their operations from Lagos ports to Port Harcourt and Warri, citing harsh operational environments, unfavourable policies by the regulatory agencies and dwindling container volumes as key reasons for the migration. Barge operators who spoke with our correspondent last week disclosed this development, attributing the exodus to terminal operators’ inability to provide timely loading windows, leaving barges idle for weeks and creating massive economic setbacks for investors. Recall that many exporters had earlier lamented that due to a slump in barge operations at the nation’s busiest port- Apapa Port, many barge operators may lay-off workers or downsize their businesses as many barges are lying idle, doing nothing.

For further information please check the link below:

https://shippingposition.com.ng/barge-operators-exit-lagos-ports-for-port-harcourt-warri-over-alleged-policy-operational-setbacks/

NPA Eases Nigerian Export Proceeds Enforcement Amid Teething Challenges

The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has relaxed the enforcement of Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) regulations. This move comes as export stakeholders seek to address mounting delays and streamline processes affected by teething issues in the current regulatory policy. Shipping Position Daily recalls that in a move aimed at enhancing efficiency in export cargo processing, the NPA had mandated the implementation of the NXP as a compulsory requirement for all export-bound cargo trucks entering the nation’s seaports. The policy is designed to streamline export operations and ensure proper documentation of export proceeds in line with Nigeria’s trade regulations.

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NPA Eases Nigerian Export Proceeds Enforcement Amid Teething Challenges

Blue Economy Meaningless In Niger Delta Without Clean Up – Says Professor Of Economics

Niger Delta states warming up for dawn of a blue economy have been advised to first pursue clean up of the region polluted by over 13m barrels of crude oil. Silva Opuala-Charles, a professor, economist, and financial expert who is president of the Garden City Premier Business School, who made the declaration agreed that $12m is required to embark on this project. This is as other stakeholders have called for aggressive development of specific infrastructure and effective governance structure as conditions that would allow blue economy to debut in the oil region. These were the fallouts of the opening day of the Correspondents Week of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) which kicked off April 7, 2025.

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Blue economy meaningless in Niger Delta without clean up – says professor of economics - Businessday NG

NECA Commends Nigeria Customs Service for Trade Facilitation Reforms

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has applauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its recent reforms and operational advancements, particularly in the area of trade facilitation. This commendation came, during a

courtesy visit led by NECA President, Dr Ifeanyi Okogwu, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The visit was part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on trade facilitation and support the growth of the private sector in Nigeria. “We are here today to commend the Service for the impactful initiatives it has rolled out so far. NECA, founded in 1957 to represent the interests of businesses in Nigeria, now has over 4,000 members.

For further information please check the link below:

NECA Commends Nigeria Customs Service for Trade Facilitation Reforms - Ships & Ports