WAF Shipping Focus: Week 35

Calls Mount On NDLEA To Revise Approach To Drug Seizures Onboard Ships

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is being urged to rethink its current approach to handling drug seizures aboard ships, as maritime experts argue that most shipowners are unfairly implicated in these incidents despite having no connection to the drug shipments. This appeal was made during a presentation by Mr. Suresh Prabhakar, Director of Operations at Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong, at a maritime security conference jointly organized by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), in Lagos.

For further information please check the link below:

https://shippingposition.com.ng/calls-mount-on-ndlea-to-revise-approach-to-drug-seizures-onboard-ships-at-maspan-amano-security-conference/

Tinubu to Inaugurate Revamped $115m Container Terminal In Onne Port

In a statement, WACT said the terminal — located within the oil and gas free zone in Onne — has undergone a significant $115 million (approximately N178.2 billion) upgrade, which began in 2021. The WACT is operated by APM Terminals and regarded as Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside Lagos, according to statement. Speaking on the project, Jeethu Jose, managing director of WACT, said the completion of the upgrade marks a significant milestone in the history of Nigerian ports.

For further information please check the link below:

https://www.thecable.ng/tinubu-to-inaugurate-revamped-115m-container-terminal-in-onne-port/

NSC, FRSC Seek NSA’s Intervention Over Extortion, Vandalisation Of Seaport Haulage Trucks

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), sought the intervention of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over extortion and destruction of seaport haulage trucks and drivers by state and non-state actors along the port access roads. Speaking at a one-day sensitisation program organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with FRSC titled ‘Safe-To-Load On Nigerian Roads’, held in Lagos, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the issue of extortion and destruction of trucks by hoodlums should be unanimously addressed.

For further information please check the link below:

https://tribuneonlineng.com/nsc-frsc-seek-nsas-intervention-over-extortion-vandalisation-of-seaport-haulage-trucks/

Nigeria Handles 35% of W’African Cargoes Annually – NPA

The Nigerian Ports Authority has said that out of 17 million tonnes of annual West Africa freight from Antwerp, Nigeria accounts for over six million tonnes. It said that volume shows that Nigeria handles the largest part of the freight coming to the region. In a statement, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this when he received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt. He expressed NPA’s readiness to deepen bilateral ties to increase the efficiency of the nation’s seaports and record growth in trade volumes between the two countries.

For further information please check the link below:

https://punchng.com/nigeria-handles-35-of-wafrican-cargoes-annually-npa/

Gov Fubara Vows To Curb Sea Piracy In Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has frowned at the attacks on boat operators and sea travelers by pirates on sea routes in the State, and warned that his administration will no longer tolerate such criminality. The Governor reassured the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property of all residents, indigenes and non-indigenes alike, by making sure that they can go about their genuine and productive activities without fear of molestation.

For further information please check the link below:

https://sweetcrudereports.com/gov-fubara-vows-to-curb-sea-piracy-in-rivers/

NPA, Belgium Deepen Bilateral Ties On Port Efficiency, Trade Growth In Trade Volumes

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Kingdom of Belgium have expressed readiness to deepen bilateral ties in order to increase efficiency of the nation’s seaports and record growth in trade volumes between the two countries. Speaking after receiving the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, the managing director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has given the authority necessary backing to enhance Nigeria’s share in the trade statistics of West and Central Africa.

For further information please check the link below:

https://leadership.ng/npa-belgium-deepen-bilateral-ties-on-port-efficiency-trade-growth-in-trade-volumes/