Nigeria nears hub status as FG acquires Africa’s largest tugboats for Lekki Port

Nigerian seaport is significantly positioning itself to turn into the hub for the West African area utilizing the newly constructed $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport as a transit port for cargoes going to neighbouring landlocked international locations within the West African area.

Presently, Nigeria is hopeful of receiving the primary set of its transhipment cargoes by Lekki Port within the subsequent three weeks.

To seize these transship cargoes, the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT) along with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has acquired and commissioned two newly constructed 80 tons tugboats for berthing of vessels of all sizes at Lekki Port.

Talking on the commissioning in Lagos on the weekend, Magdelene Ajani, everlasting secretary of FMoT, mentioned as the primary in Africa to amass two 2813 fashions of Damen’s ASD neoteric 80 tons bollard pull tugboats, the Nigerian Ports Authority has proven its dedication to spice up port operational effectivity.

She mentioned it additionally signposts Nigeria’s seriousness to optimise the alternatives within the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA) settlement by maximizing its comparative benefits utilizing maritime property as a littoral nation.

Whereas commending the NPA for delivering on the venture in good time to help the optimisation of the Lekki Deep Seaport, Ajani assured that the Ministry will proceed to encourage inter-agency collaborations in direction of making Nigeria a reference level of excellence in commerce facilitation.

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Earlier, Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of the NPA, mentioned the acquisition of the biggest tugboats in Africa will allow Nigeria to realize hub standing by servicing home cargo wants, profitable again transit cargo hitherto misplaced to different maritime neighbours and positioning to cater to the maritime necessities of landlocked international locations in a extra environment friendly method.

In keeping with him, international locations akin to Cameron, Chad, and Niger have indicated curiosity in having their cargoes moved from Nigerian ports.

“Two weeks in the past, we began discussions with officers from Cameron, Chad, and Niger Republic. The concept is to start out shifting their cargoes by Nigeria and they’re on the lookout for a port that would scale back the ready time of import cargoes. We’re additionally working with the related authorities companies to place related protocols in place to realize this with out hindrances.

He mentioned the acquisition will scale back the ready time of vessels on the port which can mechanically scale back cargo dwell time because the boats have the capability to tug in vessels of all sizes.

“Now we have deployed a three-pronged technique pushed by folks know-how, infrastructure, and tools in driving effectivity at our port. Our dedication to boost our operational efficiencies accounts for the acquisition of the 2 tugboats christened MT Maikoko and MT Da-Opukuro to enrich our current fleet of tugs and lately commissioned Safety Patrol Boats (SPBs) and Pilot Cutters deployed to boost channel safety throughout all our areas,” he added.

Vicky Haastrup, chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Affiliation of Nigeria (STOAN), who described the transfer as a reputable initiative of the NPA, mentioned within the early days of port concession it was taking so long as 24 hours to berth vessels however the acquisition of marine craft akin to tugboats has helped remove such delays.

She mentioned that terminal operators are excited as a result of it’s going to support commerce facilitation on the highest degree.