Nigerian ports record 115% growth in 10 years

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says the ports in the country experienced about 115 per cent growth between 2003 and 2012.

According to the authority’s half year 2013 report on cargo throughput, it stated that a close examination on this progress show that Nigerian ports do not handle transshipment and transit cargo. All cargoes are captive and destined for Nigeria.

The NPA said this development shows that petroleum product liberalization, growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the transformation agenda resulting in increase in construction works have had an unprecedented economic impact on the port industry.

In a statement signed by NPA’s general Manager, Public Affairs, Ihenacho Ebubeogu, the consistent effort by the NPA in fulfilling its obligation on one part and the terminal operators’ on another, with the provision of enabling environment by the Federal Government of Nigeria under Dr Goodluck Jonathan, will further encourage investors’ confidence in the port sector.

According to the statement, a total of 35,812,858 Million Metric tons of cargo was handled in all Nigerian Ports excluding crude oil terminals.

Available statistics shows that the containerised cargo throughput handled amounted to 6,222,754 MT showing an increase of 3.55 per cent over the 2012 half year figure of 6,008,926 MT.

Ebubeogu said that the continuous dredging and wreck removal campaign embarked upon by the NPA; has ensured safety, quick turnaround time of vessel and accomplishment of the 24 hour port operation.

The total LNG shipment handled in the period under review amounted to 8,462,535 MT, showing a decrease of 21 per cent over the 2012 half year figure of 10,811,166 MT.

The refined petroleum shipment handled was 9,835,719 MT showing a growth of 4.55 per cent over the half year 2012 figure of 9,406,268 MT.