Maritime
Why Importers Shun Eastern Ports
Despite the unabated traffic and the delay experienced at the Apapa and Tin Can Ports, Nigerian importers still prefer Apapa ports to the Eastern ports, citing over charges and insecurity as reasons
This is as shallow draft and high charges have been attributed to reasons why the Eastern ports have continually failed to attract vessels for years, according to investigations
The eastern ports which are located in the South South region include Calabar Port, Delta Port, Rivers Port at Port Harcourt, and Onne Port at Eleme have witnessed low patronage of vessels in recent years.
Recall that some importers weeks ago appealed to the Federal Government to open up the seaports in the eastern flank of the country to decongest ports in Lagos.
The importers argued that the designation of the Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri ports for cargo transaction would bring the perennial traffic at the Apapa Port to an end.
But the traders in Lagos State and its environs said that they were experiencing hardships in getting their goods out of the Apapa Port.
Investigation over the weekend showed that while high situation is causing shallow draft at the Calabar Port and making it inaccessible to vessels, operations at the Port Harcourt Port are slowed down by constant pirate attacks and sea robbery that have made the port unpopular for foreign ship owners.
Also, shipping experts have argued that for the eastern ports to attract cargoes and to be an international standard maritime destination, they must attract huge vessels like the Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) and the Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC).
But that can only be achieved by a deeper channel of at least 13 meters because smaller vessel would not reduce port cost.
With the shallow draught, there is a limit to the size of vessels the Calabar Port can accommodate and shipping, especially container shipping, is all about economies of scale. The larger vessels that call, the lower the cost of importing and exporting, and the lower the freight cost.
While the Calabar Port suffers from shallow draught, the Onne Port is combating insecurity such as pirate attacks and sea-robbery.
Due to pirate attacks, vessels entering Nigeria’s Onne Port are delayed for an average of six hours per night which amount to $45,000 (N16.2milion).
The delay, estimated at $7,500 per hour, is said to be fuelled by constant pirate attacks on the axis. Consequently, the importers of the consignments on board the vessel will have to pay for the delay.
The eastern ports including the Onne Port have been operating on the International Ships Ports Security (ISPS) Code 2 due to insecurity in the region as vessels that berth and discharge find it difficult to sail out at night for fear of pirate attacks.
Corroborating this, Acting Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr Chidi Izuwah in a statement available to The Tide, expressed worry over the inability of vessels to sail out at night at Onne Port.
Izuwah regretted that vessels cannot sail out of the port as it is done in Lagos port.
“No night sailing at Onne Port and this is worrisome unlike what happens at Lagos Port where vessels can sail out at any time of the day,” he said.
Also an official in one of the container terminals at Onne Port, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) exclusively told The Tide that vessels failed to sail out of the port at night for fear of pirate attacks.
The source said: “Night voyage is absolutely prohibited at Onne Port due to insecurity fuelled by pirate attacks.
“As a shipping company, you choose between your vessel being attacked and crew abducted and you staying over and incurring demurrage”.
Also speaking a shipping expert, Dr Kofi Mbia, warned that the surge in pirate activities could have a wrong impact on commercial trading in the shipping industry as it would affect the climate of confidence in trade and influence the rise in insurance premiums.
Mbia, a former chief executive officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) warned of high insurance premiums over high pirate attacks.
“When your coast is infested with pirates then there is the tendency for insurance premiums to go up for vessels that are calling at your port because of the threat to the vessels and at the same time it affects the climate of confidence in trade”, he said.
Stories by Chinedu Wosu
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
