Maritime
FG to designate inland dry port as port of origin – Jime
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council (NSC) Mr Emmanuel Jime, says the Federal Ministry of Transportation is in the process of designating all dry ports to be port of origin and destination. Jime made this known at a stakeholders sensitisation programme/launch of Operational Manual for Inland Dry Ports in Nigeria, while allaying stakeholders’ fears on efficiency of the ports The programme was organised by the NSC on the auspices of the Federal ministry of transportation in Lagos State. According to Jime, the inland dry ports was conceived to operate in the same way as the seaport, the only difference is that there is no sea where the dry port is established.
“This implies that all the agencies of government that are concerned with cargo clearance in the seaport like the Nigeria Customs Service will be present in the dry port. Also the Federal ministry of transportation designating all the dry ports to be port of origin and destination, clearly indicates that the ports are made effectively to function the same way as the seaports. So stakeholders will not experience any constraints as they are learning from mistakes experienced at the seaport. Also, two months ago, I had the privilege of sitting with the comptroller general of customs and we instituted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with customs to provide an enabling environment to ensure efficacy of the dry port,” he said. Jime said the strategic importance of producing the manual which articulated the step-by-step procedures for receiving, storing, handling and delivery of cargoes as well as highlighting the operations, responsibilities of agencies and timelines for discharging such tasks was sine- quanon.
“The operators and regulators are compelled to abide by the operational processes as contained in the manual. The manual describes functions and activities of the dry ports and specifies layout designs, outlines the activities that are to be performed, laying down the sequence of operations, address operations’ procedures as it relates to export and import activities and others,” he said. He noted that the manual was based on best international practices adapted to suite Nigerian context. He added that each dry port would have its own specialties, organisational implementation, layout constraints, and services offered and would therefore amend aspect of the manual in a case-by-case basis. “It may be pertinent to state that this manual will be used as a measure of performance by the regulator (NSC) and will be subjected to future review to be in tandem with obtainable best practices, upon agreement of the two parties (operator and regulator),” he said.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Muazu Sambo while unveiling the manual, observed with joy the collaboration the ministry, NSC were forming with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Nigerian Ports Authority, customs and other stakeholders to ensure its implementation. “Equally appreciate state governments where these inland dry ports are located. It is indeed worthy of note that these governments donate land free from all encumbrances, pay compensations where necessary, and provide infrastructure. “I urge participants to take full advantage of this sensitisation workshop for full implementation of the operational manual as a workable policy document that will drive the operations of the Inland dry ports in Nigeria,” he said. Muazu represented by Mr Victor Ewache, Deputy Director, Inland Container Depot of the ministry of transportation, noted that the operational manual would guide inland dry ports in Nigeria.
Also, Mr Leonard Ogamba, President, Lagos State Shippers Association noted that the manual was a document that would bring pressure to bear on government agencies when they failed to do the needful. Mr Remi Ogungbemi, President, Association of Maritime Truck Owners(AMATO) urged the ministry to remove all difficulties that hindered cargo evacuation at the port so that the manual would work effectively. Mr Ayodele Durowaiye, Assistant General Manager Operations, NPA, noted that the country port was operating way beyound their capacity and so the need to introduce the inland dry ports. “The only way to optimise the port is to have facilities like this, it will provide options for shippers and consignees if they function effectively,” he said. Mr Ajibola Odusanya, Customs Deputy Controller in charge of administration at the Apapa port, noted that customs was ready to collaborate and cooperate to make the vision to come true. “To ensure decongestion at the port, customs have introduced scanners for smooth operations and they will ensure that officers escort containers to the inland depot at any given time,” he said. Other stakeholders present at the programme are: Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Costco shipping, Cross Marine Services, TinCan Island Container Terminal and others.(NAN)
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
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