WAF Shipping Focus: Week 44
- Agwe Logistics Solutions
- Nov 2
- 4 min read
Controller, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has appealed to the newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP), Ports Authority Police ( Western) Command, Toyin Agbaminoja, to prioritize the free and clear movement of cargo along the port access roads. Oshoba made the appeal when the CP paid him a courtesy visit at the Command. The Customs boss emphasized that any stoppage of consignment along the port corridor undermine trade facilitation and the ease of doing business, leading to port congestion and affecting revenue generation. His words, “I want you to look at this corridor where we are, where our goods pass through. Please, help us keep it safe and clear. Any stoppage to any of these consignments along the road goes back to the ports, then you start to have congestion.
For further information please check the link below:
Maersk Nigeria Limited has announced that it will be implementing a strict policy regarding the return of empty containers. In a customer advisory obtained, the company said effective October 28, 2025, any release agency that gates out a container and fails to return it within 15 days will be blocked from conducting further business with Maersk. The shipping giant said the measure is to ensure efficient circulation and minimize operational delays. Maersk urged its customers to ensure the timely return of containers to designated holding bays to prevent any disruptions to their operations. The notice reads, “We wish to inform you that Maersk will be implementing a strict policy regarding the return of empty containers.
For further information please check the link below:
The Lagos Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Sarat Braimah has called on the Federal Government and private sector investors to significantly scale up investments in Nigeria’s inland waterways, stressing that such action is crucial to unlocking the nation’s blue economy potential and transforming the lives of millions in coastal communities. Speaking at the 3rd EHINGBETI Blue Economy Hub, Braimah stressed that waterways remain central to the economic and social livelihood of communities surrounded by water. She noted that despite the enormous potential, Nigeria still lags behind global peers in harnessing its inland water resources for transport, trade, and local development.
For further information please check the link below:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on, October 29, 2025, arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged petroleum theft involving over 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit belonging to NNPC Retail Limited. In a statement posted by EFCC on X, the defendants — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas — were charged alongside the vessel on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The charges state that the defendants conspired to steal 25,354,000 litres of PMS, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.
For further information please check the link below:
The Federal Government of Nigeria, lamented over the effect of Peak Season Surcharge recently introduced by Shipping Lines on the economies of West and Central Africa, stating that arbitrary surcharges and high freight rates continue to erode the trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), placing undue burdens on importers and exporters in the West and Central African sub-region. Speaking during the Sub-regional Seminar and Meeting of the Standing Committee No. 1 of the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC) held in Lagos, the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola said that It is therefore, imperative that member States, through UASC, engage constructively with shipping lines and international partners to ensure transparency, fairness, and equity in the determination of surcharges and freight rates.
For further information, please check the link below:
The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, assumed office, promising to strengthen maritime security, enhance the navy’s operational capability through aggressive fleet renewal and use of technology to combat maritime crimes within the nation’s territorial waters. Speaking during the handover ceremony in Abuja, Abbas acknowledged that despite significant progress, the nation’s maritime domain still faces threats such as crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, Illegal unregulated, unreported fishing, and drug trafficking. To address these challenges, the CNS said his tenure will focus on strengthening maritime security and combating illegalities, use of technology, prioritising training and personnel welfare, as well as deepening inter-agency synergy, regional and international collaboration.
For further information please check the link below:
Comments