Maritime

Achieving Seamless Ports and Cargo Business in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Achieving Seamless Ports and Cargo Business in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

  Dr. Leonard Anyanwu presented a keynote address at the Anchor of Nigerian Ports Conference, organized by Portbizness Communications, highlighting the challenges and prospects of achieving seamless ports and cargo business in Nigeria. Dr. Anyanwu, a logistics expert, identified infrastructure deficiencies, inefficient processes, security concerns, regulatory and administrative hurdles, and capacity and skill gaps as major challenges facing Nigerian ports. He emphasized the need for infrastructure development, process automation and digitalization, security enhancements, regulatory reforms, and capacity building and training to address these challenges. Dr. Anyanwu commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its efforts in addressing some of these…
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MASPAN, AMANO Unite to Combat Maritime Drug and Human Trafficking

MASPAN, AMANO Unite to Combat Maritime Drug and Human Trafficking

The Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO) are set to tackle the growing menace of drug and human smuggling/trafficking in the maritime industry. A one-day conference, to take place at Eko Hotel and Suites on the 22nd of August 2024 with the theme,  "Drug and Human Smuggling/Trafficking: The Evolving Maritime Security Threats to Ships and Seafarers," will bring together stakeholders to address this critical issue. The event, chaired by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola, will feature prominent guests, including Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa,…
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Naval Officers Shine At Admiral Wambai Retirement Golf Tournament

Naval Officers Shine At Admiral Wambai Retirement Golf Tournament

July 31, 2024: The Nigerian Navy took center stage at the Admiral Wambai retirement golf tournament held at the Dolphin Golf Club, Navy Town Ojo, Lagos. Over 100 players, including civilians and naval personnel, participated in the event. Lieutenant Commander Nathaniel Uti, Naval Assistant to the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, emerged as the overall winner with a net result of 4 under par. Rear Admiral HD Zakaria, Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Doctrine Command, finished fourth with a net result of one under par. Retired Lieutenant Andrew Martins won the veterans' category. Rear Admiral MB Hassan, Flag Officer Commanding…
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Nigerian Shipping Expert Aminu Umar Appointed to International Chamber of Shipping Board

Nigerian Shipping Expert Aminu Umar Appointed to International Chamber of Shipping Board

The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping has announced the appointment of its President, Aminu Umar, as the first African Director on the Board of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). This milestone marks a significant achievement for both Umar and Nigeria's maritime sector on the global stage. Umar's appointment is expected to strengthen Nigeria's position in international maritime policy discussions and decisions. With his vast experience and strategic vision, he is poised to contribute immensely to the ICS's mission of promoting and representing the global shipping industry. Umar expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating, "I am honored to represent Nigeria…
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Customs Service Releases Impressive Mid-Year Report Of 8% Increase

Customs Service Releases Impressive Mid-Year Report Of 8% Increase

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced its mid-year performance report, highlighting its achievements in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and societal protection. Despite challenges, the NCS has surpassed its half-year revenue target of N2.54 trillion, collecting N2.74 trillion, an 8% increase. Key initiatives contributing to this success include the e-auction platform and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles. The NCS has also intensified its anti-smuggling operations, making 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N25.52 billion. Trade facilitation remains a priority, with the NCS processing 620,467 Single Goods Declarations despite a decline in transactions. The Service has…
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Customs Officers Attacked in Kebbi State, One Killed and One Abducted

Customs Officers Attacked in Kebbi State, One Killed and One Abducted

Kebbi State, Nigeria - On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 9:00 pm, armed men attacked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) patrol base in Koko Besse, Kebbi State. The attackers destroyed properties and targeted officers, resulting in the death of Assistant Superintendent Customs I Dabo Umar and the abduction of Superintendent of Customs Babagana Abba Kabiru. The deceased officer's body was retrieved and taken to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites. A manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators,. The Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, has commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed for the release…
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Customs and ICPC Join Forces to Combat Corruption

Customs and ICPC Join Forces to Combat Corruption

  In a bid to strengthen the fight against corruption, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have initiated a collaborative effort. On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi led a team to visit ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu, seeking cooperation to mitigate corruption among officers and stakeholders. Adeniyi highlighted the NCS's achievements, including a 70% increase in revenue generation and enhanced security measures. He emphasized the need for a strong alliance between the agencies to combat corrupt practices and promote trade facilitation. ICPC Chairman Adamu welcomed the collaboration,…
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TANTITA Calls For Beefed-Up Efforts To Combat Oil Theft

TANTITA Calls For Beefed-Up Efforts To Combat Oil Theft

At a public hearing held by the House of Representatives Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft, TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited presented a comprehensive approach to combat oil theft in Nigeria. The company recommended strengthening the fight against oil theft through inter-agency collaboration, community engagement, and advanced technology. TANTITA's data-driven presentation showcased their effectiveness in combating oil theft, including statistics on oil theft in their operational areas, surveillance and monitoring systems, and success stories of arrested oil thieves and recovered stolen oil. The hearing brought together representatives from various organizations, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), National Inland…
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Nigeria Records Significant Boost in Export Trade

Nigeria Records Significant Boost in Export Trade

  The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have implemented measures to enhance export trade, resulting in a notable increase in cargo movement. According to Apapa Port Manager, Barr. Charles Okaga, the creation of a dedicated export processing terminal and command has streamlined document processing, reducing the time from two weeks to just two hours. In the first half of 2024, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recorded the movement of 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of cargo, a significant improvement from the previous year. Okaga attributed the 15% increase in export trade to the synergy between NPA…
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Nigeria Boasts World-Class Vessel Boarding and Rummaging Procedures

Nigeria Boasts World-Class Vessel Boarding and Rummaging Procedures

At the Maritime Reporters' Association of Nigeria (MARAN) breakfast meeting, Moses Olayemi Fadipe, founder of Skynet Trueway International Limited, revealed that Nigeria has the best vessel boarding and rummaging procedures globally. This achievement earned the country an award in Switzerland in 2022. Fadipe emphasized the importance of trade facilitation, citing four pillars: transparency, simplification of processes, harmonization, and standardization. He questioned the level of compliance with these tenets and the efficiency of port processes. The MARAN president, Godfrey Bivbere, expressed concern over Nigeria's port efficiency rating, citing neighboring ports' advantages. Fadipe countered, highlighting Nigeria's progress in automation and vessel boarding…
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