Latest news with #NigerianPortsAuthority
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Onne multipurpose terminal welcomes largest vessel in history
The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State has once again made history by successfully hosting the Kota Carum—the largest vessel ever to berth at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT). In a statement released on Monday, OMT stated that this milestone event further underscores the terminal's growing prominence as a hub for large-scale maritime trade in West Africa. Flying the Singaporean flag, the Kota Carum is owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of Asia's leading shipping companies. The mega container vessel, measuring an impressive 301.43 metres in length overall, arrived at the OMT jetty at 10:30 hours and was safely berthed by 10:50 hours, utilising berths 9 and 10. Boasting a capacity of 6,606 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), Kota Carum is a major addition to the fleet of large vessels now calling at Onne Port. During its 55-hour port stay, the vessel will discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers—including export-bound cargo and empty containers. Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel, the Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, described the call as a landmark event, not only for the terminal but also for Nigeria's maritime industry. 'We are incredibly honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne. Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our continued growth, our strategic investments in terminal infrastructure, and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence,' Stewart stated. Stewart emphasised that OMT's ongoing modernisation efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time. He further noted the economic advantages of hosting such large vessels at Nigerian ports, explaining that direct calls by larger ships eliminate the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels—cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters. 'This is not just a win for OMT; it's a win for the Nigerian economy. The ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipment,' he said. Stewart also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its vital support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive. 'We have an excellent working relationship with the Port Manager, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain, and the entire team at the Nigerian Ports Authority. The leadership of the Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has been instrumental in our success. Allowing a vessel of this magnitude to berth at our terminal is a vote of confidence in our capabilities,' he added. He called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at Onne Port to accommodate even larger vessels and further boost trade volumes. 'We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,' Stewart appealed. Also speaking at the event, the Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed NPA's technical readiness to handle large vessels. 'At the Nigerian Ports Authority, we are fully equipped—both in training and technology—to safely pilot large vessels into our ports. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is evidence of our capacity and professionalism,' Ezra said. The successful hosting of Kota Carum marks a significant leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a viable gateway capable of accommodating global trade routes. As more shipping lines look towards West Africa, OMT's infrastructure, efficiency, and strategic location continue to attract increasing volumes of international maritime traffic.
Zawya
07-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: After 32-years, NPA reviews port tariff by 15%
Compelled by the exigency of bringing Nigerian Ports up to speed with those of its peers in terms of infrastructure and equipment, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Thursday said that it has secured necessary approvals for an upward review in its tariffs which was last reviewed in the year 1993. The 15 per cent upward increase which is to cut across all NPA rates and dues is premised on the urgent need to address the undesirable reality of aged and weak Infrastructure, obsolete equipment and slow port capacity expansion which has continued to diminish the performance and indeed competitiveness of Nigerian Ports. Speaking on Thursday at a stakeholders meeting held in Lagos, the NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho who was represented by the Authority's Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus said that the NPA decision to meet stakeholders over the increment was borne out of the desire to carry everyone along. According ro the NPA Managing Director, 'Globally, Port Authorities depend on revenue from operations to stay alive to their responsibilities which includes construction and maintenance of Port infrastructure, dredging of channels, provision of aids for safe navigation, provision of modern marine crafts for efficient harbour services, automation and digitization of port transactions, port security, energy efficiency and training and retraining of its employees. 'The global index of Port rating and competitiveness which the international trade community relies on for its choice of countries to do business with, derives its data from how well the aforementioned responsibilities are addressed. 'Coming at this period of global economic upheaval and scramble for markets, this belated Tariff review borne out of necessity constitutes a critical success factor in Nigeria's quest to win back cargo handling business and its accompanying benefits including job opportunities it had lost to its maritime neighbours. 'Contrary to the popular but erroneous notion that attributes high Port costs to NPA relative to its peers, verifiable data shows NPA Tariffs are amongst the lowest in the region. 'The high incidence of unreceipted costs due to unduly high human interface, bureaucratic bottlenecks, functional overlaps resulting from the absence of a Port Community System (PCS) and its corollary the National Single Window (NSW) are responsible for this contrived falsehood. 'Although long overdue, a quick win benefit of the NPA Tariff review for stakeholders, is the immediate boost it gives to the Authority to fast track the commencement of actual works on its concluded Port reconstruction and modernization plans. 'Secondly, the Tariff review provides the necessary guarantees to fund the acquisition and urgent deployment of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) backbone of the PCS which is the precursor to the implementation of the NSW. 'Furthermore, the increased revenue generation arising from the review buoys the Authority's capacity for critical maintenance works to open up the Eastern Ports for increased vessel and cargo traffic such as the reconstruction of collapsed Escravos Breakwaters and challenged aspects of Rivers, Onne and Calabar Ports respectively.' Also speaking during the stakeholders meeting, Joshua Asanga a stakeholder agreed with the increase adding that the value of NPA present tariff has since been suppressed by Inflation which is at about 35 percent. Asanga listed port management liabilities like wages, fuel and other areas of expenditure as having adjusted upwards without a commensurate rise in NPA charges for over thirty years. He added that NPA needs funds for improved port infrastructure, robust ICT for Port Community System, procurement of tug boats and other operational platforms to achieve efficiency. Another stakeholder, Demian Ukagu, who spoke at the event talked on the need to apply more NPA funding to outer port facilities and jetties like the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and the development of other critical port facilities across the country. He added that NPA rates should be able to cover these costs would guarantee minimum return on investment and promote sustainable trade. The meeting agreed that existing tariffs were set devoid of capital cost, labour cost, consumables and overhead expenditures needed to run the ports. They feared that keeping the ports on the old tariff would promote consequences like poor service, inadequate infrastructure, poor remuneration, obsolete port facilities, equipment and infrastructure. NPA reviews port tariff by 15% READ MORE FROM: Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
