Maritime
Cost of ship berthing in Nigeria cut from $150k per vessel to $20k
The Convention on Business integrity has said that the cost of ship berthing in Nigeria has dropped from $150,000 to $20,000 per vessel. It said that “specifically, because of the joint efforts of the Federal Government agencies – including the Nigerian Shippers Council, ICPC, DSS and the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms, TUGAR, alongside the CBi, through the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, (MACN); the cost of a ship berthing in Nigeria – often aggravated by un-receipted extortions – has now drastically reduced from $150,000 per vessel that arrives in the country to about $20,000. This was disclosed when a delegation of the CBi paid a courtesy call on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. According to the CBi co-founder, Mr. Olusoji Apampa, who made the disclosure, the success recorded is now attracting international reviews as countries such as Egypt, Ukraine and India are planning to adopt the “Nigerian miracle” model to produce similar gains in their own ports’ operations.
According to the report “the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government with the private sector and a Civil Society group – Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) to curb corruption at the Sea-Ports has earned international praise and won the first ever “Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award” of the Switzerland-based Basel Institute on Governance. Specifically, because of the joint efforts of the Federal Government agencies – including the Nigerian Shippers Council, ICPC, DSS and the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms, TUGAR, alongside the CBi, through the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, (MACN); the cost of a ship berthing in Nigeria – often aggravated by unreceipted extortions – has now drastically reduced from $150,000 per vessel that arrives in the country to about $20,000. This was disclosed when a delegation of the CBi paid a courtesy call on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the CBi co-founder, Mr. Olusoji Apampa, who made the disclosure, the success recorded is now attracting international reviews as countries such as Egypt, Ukraine and India are planning to adopt the “Nigerian miracle” model to produce similar gains in their own ports’ operations. The international award recognised the work of the Nigerian MACN, which created a real time-based Help Desk to resolve complaints and concerns of shipping companies as soon as they berth at the ports.
The Swiss-based international body recognised the initiative for the collective action where government, business and civil society have worked together for change. This was made possible by the establishment and success recorded by the first ever, real-time Anti-Corruption Help Desk in Nigerian Ports, which instantly reports and resolves corruption-related issues. The CBi presented the international award to the Vice President during the courtesy call on Monday and said to him, “this would not have been possible without your interventions.” Receiving the delegation and the award at the Presidential Villa, the Vice President praised the CBi and the MACN, commending them for their efforts alongside FG agencies, noting that the Buhari Administration will continue to support initiatives that improves the business environment and economy in general. “This is cheery news on our anti-corruption efforts,” a delighted VP said adding that what is required is to stay focused in the fight against corruption. Prof. Osinbajo stated that the narrative on the imperative of integrity and fight against corruption has to be deepened, explaining that “we need to get the attention of the young people also. This is something we have to do.”
Based on the Executive Order 001, ICPC conducted a successful sting operation in 2019 to support FG’s port reforms. Then in December 2020, the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) comprising the Shippers Council, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), was established. In addition, the Nigeria Ports Process Manual (NPPM) was launched and the PSTT, led by the Shippers Council, was given the responsibility to implement and enforce compliance.
According to the MACN, before the PSTT was formed, there were 266 cases of demands for large, un-receipted cash payments by officials at the ports in the process of vessel clearance. Such practice has now dropped to 128 cases following the establishment of PSTT in 2020. By 2021, the cases fell further to 84 cases, and so far in 2022, it has remained below 50 cases. In the same vein, prior to the intervention of the PSTT, Port Calls were costing on average $150,000 per vessel per visit (including illicit demands and the cost of delays occasioned by trying to avoid the illicit demands). This has now dropped to an average cost of $20,000 per port call. The group further noted that since the FG instituted the Help Desk in 2020, it has monitored just under 700 ships arrival to Nigerian ports. Also, it would be recalled that the VP Osinbajo-led Presidential Task Force was established in 2019 to address the issue of port congestion in Apapa and resolve traffic gridlock in the axis. Following the completion of its assignment, it handed over duties to the Lagos State Government in 2021. The Presidential Task Force had representatives of the Inspector-General of Police; Lagos State Government; NPA, Nigerian Shippers Council, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed confidence that the Maritime Labour E-Platform would boost the sector’s competitiveness as it hosted a workshop to sensitize users of the portal through practical demonstrations and interactive sessions. Held in Lagos, the workshop practicalized the process of registering, verifying and issuing identity cards to seafarers and dockworkers via the NIMASA portal (@nimasa.gov.ng). Practical support measures, including training, cybersecurity and planning a phased rollout to ensure smooth adoption, were also discussed.
Speaking at the event, the NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba stressed the importance of the digital platform to achieving global competitiveness, stating that “our digital transformation is underway. This year we launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, building on our 2022 dockworkers registration success.
It is a modern, integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers, and other stakeholders.” Represented by the Director, Maritime Labour Services Department, Mr. Ibrahim Umar Sidi, the Executive Director further noted that “by centralizing registration and issuing secure biometric ID cards, it cuts paperwork, speeds up processing, and gives us reliable real-time data. This helps us meet our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention and boosts Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global Blue Economy.”
He also emphasized that the actualization of the digital platform was in line with the Agency’s statutory obligations, stating that, “This initiative directly fulfils our mandate under Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007, which charges us with the duty to document and maintain a register of every maritime worker and operator. It also aligns with our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, often called the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights for promoting fair working conditions, health protections, and social security.
In its efforts to build a smarter, more transparent, and efficient maritime sector, the Federal Government launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, during an event in June marking the 2025 Day of the Seafarer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The platform, which is a digital solution designed to revolutionize the governance of maritime labour in Nigeria, was described by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola at the time as “a transformative tool for labour administration”.
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has noted that effective Port State Control (PSC) is one of the most potent tools of ensuring global safety and maintenance of environmental standards in shipping.
Dr. Mobereola who said this at a 5-day Regional Train the Trainer Workshop on Port State Control (PSC) for Member States of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), further emphasized that the quality of the professionals who implement PSC determines its overall success. Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the DG described the workshop as a reflection of Africa’s shared commitment to safer, cleaner, and more efficient shipping.
“Your presence here demonstrates our collective resolve to strengthen efficient maritime governance, improve safety standards, and enhance environmental protection across West and Central Africa,” he said. The DG commended the IMO, the Abuja MoU Secretariat, and all technical partners for their continued support towards capacity-building, regional cooperation, and the promotion of maritime safety in Africa.
Delivering a goodwill message, the representative of the IMO, Captain Ahmed Sewelam, reaffirmed the Organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting Member States through its technical cooperation programme to strengthen effective and harmonized Port State Control regimes globally. “Effective regional cooperation and harmonized PSC practices are essential to eliminate substandard shipping and promote consistency across the region,” Captain Sewelam said. He said that the workshop provides a unique platform for delegates to strengthen their collective capacity as Port States, while discussing key elements such as inspection procedures, reporting, and strategies for improved performance noting that “together, we can strengthen Port State Control implementation and advance maritime safety and sustainability in the region”.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, reiterated that capacity building remains a top priority of the Abuja MoU. He noted that effective Flag State control directly influences the quality of Port State Control operations, emphasizing the importance of strong national systems. “We must continue to build capacity, strengthen cooperation, and share experiences to ensure that our region maintains high standards of maritime safety and compliance,” he said.
The Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Port State Control under the Abuja MoU represents another milestone in NIMASA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety, promote environmental protection, and consolidate Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing regional maritime development. The workshop, which is being held in Lagos, has brought together delegates from 22 countries across West and Central Africa to deepen capacity, harmonize standards, and strengthen maritime safety oversight across the region.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced on Monday that about 20 ships laden with food items, petroleum products, and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos. In its shipping position for Monday, the authority disclosed that the ships will arrive in Lagos from November 10 to 12.
According to the NPA, out of the 20 expected ships, four contain crude oil, four contain petrol, three others are to arrive with aviation fuel, while the remaining nine ships are to arrive with diesel, gas oil, and different products.
The NPA also hinted that three ships had arrived at the ports and were waiting to berth with general cargo and bulk urea. Meanwhile, it says that 11 ships are currently at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk wheat, bulk sugar, containers, and bulk gas. NAN
-
News3 days agoNigeria to officially tag Kidnapping as Act of Terrorism as bill passes 2nd reading in Senate
-
News3 days agoNigeria champions African-Arab trade to boost agribusiness, industrial growth
-
News3 days agoFG’s plan to tax digital currencies may push traders to into underground financing—stakeholders
-
Finance1 week agoAfreximbank successfully closed its second Samurai Bond transactions, raising JPY 81.8bn or $527m
-
Economy3 days agoMAN cries out some operators at FTZs abusing system to detriment of local manufacturers
-
News1 week agoFG launches fresh offensive against Trans-border crimes, irregular migration, ECOWAS biometric identity Card
-
News3 days agoEU to support Nigeria’s war against insecurity
-
Uncategorized3 days agoDeveloping Countries’ Debt Outflows Hit 50-Year High During 2022-2024—WBG