WAF Shipping Focus: Week 21

APM Terminals Apapa Hosts Maiden Exporters Forum

Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa hosted the maiden edition of its “Exporters Forum”, with a promise to support the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy through the promotion of non non-oil

exports. Speaking at the event, the Country Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, expressed appreciation to the exporters for the role they play in economic growth and advancement. He said the Exporters

Forum was created as an avenue to exchange ideas to eliminate obstacles facing the export business in Nigeria.

For further information please check the link below:

https://shipsandports.com.ng/apm-terminals-apapa-hosts-maiden-exporters-forum/

Customs Board Confirms Appointment of Five DCGs, Eight ACGs

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has confirmed the appointment of five Deputy Comptrollers Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptrollers Comptrollers-General (ACGs) of Customs during its 59th regular meeting. This was made known after the meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja. Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer said in a statement that the new appointments were made to fill the vacancies created

by some senior officers who recently retired from the service.

For further information please check the link below:

https://tribuneonlineng.com/customs-board-confirms-appointment-of-five-dcgs-eight-acgs/

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Resume Joint Cargo Flights In Scramble For $6 Trillion Market

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that cargo flight operations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are set to resume after years of inactivity. Keyamo announced this via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The Aviation Minister noted that he discussed the resumption of cargo flight operations with Saleh Al Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the ongoing Future Aviation Forum (FAF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The post further indicated that both sides agreed to resume cargo operations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and focal persons were appointed to work out the modalities.

For further information please check the link below:

https://nairametrics.com/2024/05/21/nigeria-saudi-arabia-resume-joint-cargo-flights-in-scramble-for-6-trillion-market/

Dakhla Atlantic Port: A Major Project Advancing Africa’s Integration (CNN)

CNN recently aired a report about the Dakhla Atlantic Port, highlighting it as a crucial infrastructure project that will promote economic integration in Africa and facilitate trade across the continent. The program “Connecting Africa” emphasized Morocco’s ambition to establish the port as a key trading hub for West Africa and neighbouring regions. The media coverage underscored that the port, a significant

component of Morocco’s port strategy, is strategically located to enable the country’s southern provinces to serve as a trade gateway for the continent.

For further information please check the link below:

https://radarr.africa/dakhla-atlantic-port-a-major-project-advancing-africas-integration-cnn/

Customs Intercept 17,580 Litres Of Petrol

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, has disclosed that its officials intercepted 17,580 litres of premium motor spirit valued at N12.7m between April and May 2024. The Customs Area Comptroller in charge of the

command, Odaudu Salefu, explained in a statement that the petroleum products were seized at the Mubi and Yola axis of Adamawa State. He attributed the success to robust information gathering and credible intelligence sharing by other customs units, including, the Customs Intelligence Unit and customs police, as well as the resilience of the officers of the unit.

For further information please check the link below:

https://punchng.com/customs-intercept-17580-litres-of-petrol/

Sudden Container Crunch Sends Ocean Freight Rates Soaring, Setting Off Global Trade Alarm Bells Bells

A perfect storm in global trade is creating a shipping container capacity crunch, fueling a sudden and surprise spike in ocean freight rates. The beginning of peak shipping season, coupled with the longer transits to avoid the Red Sea, and bad weather in Asia, have hit the flow of trade on key routes. Ocean carriers are skipping ports or decreasing their time at port, and not picking up empty containers, in an effort to keep vessels on track for delivery. The supply chain cost issues come at a time when consumer goods for back to school and the holidays are set to be moved on the water.

For further information please check the link below:

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/23/a-sudden-container-crunch-is-sending-ocean-freight-rates-soaring.html