WAF Shipping Focus: Week 32

Nigerian Barges of Death, Losses Need Proper Regulation

Recently, a barge sank in the shallow brown waters of Mile 2, Lagos, while

attempting to berth at the Clarion Shipping bonded terminal, resulting in the loss

of over 80 per cent of its cargo. The barge, which was said to have been laden with

industrial chemicals, was submerged in the lagoon July 25, 2025 following a failed

manoeuvre. According to Public Relations Officer of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), Mr. Daniel Eze, while the crew members were safe, most of the

cargo on board the barge was lost. Notably, barge operations in Nigeria involve

using flat-bo8omed boats (barges) to transport cargo, particularly heavy, large, or

bulk goods, along waterways like rivers and creeks. This method is crucial in Nigeria

due to the extensive network of waterways and limited road infrastructure,

especially in areas near ports and oil & gas facilities. Barging became an integral

part of port operations in Lagos, especially cargo evacuation at the peak of port

congestion a few years ago. Since then, there have been significant investments in..

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Nigerian Barges of Death, Losses Need Proper Regulation

Abia State To Revitalise Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port

The Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port, IDP, project in Abia State is gaining momentum,

poised to become a major economic driver for the state and the South-East region.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has renewed efforts to revitalise the long dormant project, originally gazetted in 2006. During a courtesy visit to Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius,

expressed appreciation for the governor’s support and emphasized the strategic

importance of the dry port in decentralising maritime operations and extending

logistics infrastructure to Nigeria’s inland commercial corridors. He noted that with

active collaboration between the state government and the concessioners, the IDP

project has the potential to unlock substantial economic benefits for Abia and

beyond, transform the Region and position it as a major trade hub in the South-

East region. Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, expressed his appreciation to

the Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC and his team for the visit.

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Abia State to revitalize Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port

Export Value Hits $1.58bn, As Container Throughput Surges 200%

Nigeria’s non-oil export sector recorded a major leap in the first half of 2025, as the

Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, Lilypond Export Command announced a 36% rise in export value and an unprecedented 200% increase in container throughput.

Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, the Customs Area Controller, Lilypond, said the

Command processed goods worth $1.58 billion between January and June 2025, a

significant increase from the $1.16 billion posted in the same period last year. “Our

cumulative export value for H1 2025 stood at $1,586,041,100.25, an increase of

$420.9 million. This represents a growth rate of approximately 36%,” he told

journalists during the Command’s half-year press briefing. In container terms, the

Command processed 27,721 export containers, up from 9,438 containers recorded

in H1 2024, marking a threefold growth. “This 200% surge in throughput is a

testament to improved compliance, enhanced documentation, and rising exporter

confidence,” Odusanya said. Agricultural products continued to lead Nigeria’s

export portfolio, accounting for $966.7 million, a sharp rise from $288.8 million in

the previous year.

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Export value hits $1.58bn, as container throughput surges 200%

Police, MWUN Strengthen Ties for Safer Port Operations

In a strategic move to bolster security within Nigeria’s maritime sector, the

President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade

Francis Bunu Abi, led members of the Union’s National Executive Council on a

courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western)

Command, CP Olanrewaju Olawale Ishola, in Lagos. The meeting, which held at the

Command Headquarters in Apapa, served as a platform to reinforce collaboration

between the maritime workforce and law enforcement for enhanced safety and

operational efficiency at the ports. During the visit, Comrade Abi commended the

Command’s efforts in maintaining security across port facilities and expressed the

Union’s readiness to deepen its cooperation with the Police. He pledged MWUN’s

commitment to supporting law enforcement initiatives, promoting discipline

among members, and fostering industrial harmony within the maritime space.

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Police, MWUN Strengthen Ties for Safer Port Operations

Nigeria Customs Service Clarifies System Glitch Disrupting PAAR Processing

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed the resolution of recent technical issues that disrupted the transmission of Product Certificates required for

processing the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), following widespread

concern among importers and licensed customs agents. The disruption stemmed

from integration challenges encountered during the onboarding of the Standards

Organisation of Nigeria (SON) onto the NCS’s B’Odogwu digital platform on 23 July

2025. The technical glitch hindered users from properly capturing key

documentation, including Form M, PAAR, and Single Goods Declaration (SGD),

resulting in delays across multiple transactions. Customs said key issues identified

included limited character space for trader names, improper data formatting,

missing 10-digit product codes, unclear error messages, and difficulties linking Tax

Identification Numbers (TIN) to trader profiles. While Customs promptly resolved

the faults within its own system, additional coordination with SON was necessary

to fully rectify the issue.

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Nigeria Customs Service Clarifies System Glitch Disrupting PAAR Processing - Ships & Ports

Customs, Immigration Hold Joint Training to Boost Waterway Security

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command and the Nigeria

Immigration Service (NIS) Lagos Marine Command have launched a three-day

training programme to bolster security along the nation’s waterways. The exercise

began with a joint parade at Ibafon, Lagos. This marked a significant step in

strengthening cooperation between the two agencies amid rising maritime security threats. Addressing the parade, Customs Area Controller Comptroller Patrick Ntadi highlighted the unity of purpose shared by both services. “This is my first parade, and I’m pleased to hold it alongside the Immigration Service. We are like twins in service, working towards the same national objective. That’s why your Comptroller could send you here without hesitation,” Ntadi said. He explained that the joint training aligns with the vision of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi. “Today, we are kick-starting a three-day programme in line with the CGC’s agenda for capacity building. We know the importance of our work and are committed to delivering on it.

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Customs, Immigration Hold Joint Training to Boost Waterway Security