NPA Tasks Workers on Safety, Acquires Multi-Purpose fire Equipment

Published

10 years ago

January 7, 2015

THE Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Habib Abdullahi, has assured stakeholders in the maritime sector of their safety and security.

Speaking at the commissioning of multi-purpose fire equipment in Lagos, Abdullahi also reiterated his commitment to the transformation agenda of president Goodluck Jonathan especially in the area of safety of life and property in the maritime sector.

Among the equipment commissioned by Abdullahi are six Rapid Response mini fire engines, ten fire water tankers and two Bronco Sky lift (Hydraulic Platform).

According to Abdullahi, the procurement of the equipment form part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) thrust of the NPA.

While commending officers and men of the Authority’s fire service department for their efficiency and dedication, “which has attracted commendation and awards over the years”, Abdullahi also congratulated the management of Tin Can Island Port for “blazing the trail of excellence”.

In his remarks, the General Manager, Health Safety & Environment, T. Talabi, an engineer, Abdullahi said the equipment are of the highest standards, pointing out that “they can take the Authority to the highest level of safety as regards fire outbreak in and outside the Ports”.

NPA had at the end of the 2014 third quarter recorded cargo throughput of 22,324,223 million metric tons, showing an increase of 12.5 per cent over 19,849,258metric tones achieved in 2013.

A press statement issued by NPA’s Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs), Musa IIiya, explained that cargo throughput indicates that:

General Cargo was 4,218,379, metric tons, an increase of 41.7% over 2,977,347 metric tons in 2013;

Dry Bulk Cargo stood at 2,600,222 metric tons, a marginal increase of 0.6% over 2,585,902 metric tons in 2013;

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipment stood at 5,140,321 metric tons, a growth of 5.8% over 4,859,453 metric tons in 2013;

Refined Petroleum products stood at 5, 241,813 metric tons, indicating an increase of 9.1% over 4,804,184 metric tons in 2013;

Laden Container Throughput was 277,694 TEUs, showing a growth of 3% over 269,625 TEUs achieved in 2013 and

Empty Container Throughput was 217,080 TEUs, indicating an increase of 9.5% over 198,167 TEUs in 2013.

Within the period, a total of 1,405 oceans going vessels called at all Nigerian Ports as against a total of 1,366 vessels that called at the same period in 2013 representing an increase of 2.9%

The statement said: “The total Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of all ocean going vessels in the third quarter 2014 amounted to 38,047,705 metric tons representing an increase of 9.8% increase over the GRT of 34,640,530 Metric tons in the same period of 2013.

“In the period under review, Lagos Port Complex (LPC) recorded a Gross registered tonnage of 10,105,002Metric tons, showing an increase of 9.0 per cent over 9,263,180 gross tons achieved in 2013. A total of 397 vessels were handled in the period under review.

“Tin can Island Port recorded a Gross registered tonnage of 13,076,324 indicating an increase of 16.8 per cent over 11,197,355 gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. A total number of 475-ocean going vessels were handled within the period.

“Calabar Port complex recorded a total GRT of 1,053,435 showing a rise of 40 per cent over 751,553 gross tons of 2013, leaving the port with 72 Ocean going vessels in the period under review.

“Rivers Port complex recorded a total Gross registered tonnage of 1,890,944 showing an increase of 37.8 per cent over 1,371,846 gross tons achieved in the corresponding period of 2013. A total of 126-ocean going vessels were handled within the period under review.

“Onne Port complex recorded a GRT of 10,396,120 reflecting an increase of 7.0 per cent over 9,709,984 gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 with 207 vessels handled within the period while Delta Port Complex handled 128 vessels”.—-Maritime Hub

WAIVER CESSATION: Igbokwe urges NIMASA to evolve stronger collaboration with Ships owners

Published

5 years ago

April 13, 2019

Maritime First

…Stresses the need for timely disbursement of N44.6billion CVFF***

Highly revered Nigerian Maritime Lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Igbokwe has urged the Nigeria Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) to partner with ship owners and relevant association in the industry to evolving a more vibrant merchant shipping and cabotage trade regime.

Igbokwe gave the counsel during his paper presentation at the just concluded two-day stakeholders’ meeting on Cabotage waiver restrictions, organized by NIMASA.

“NIMASA and shipowners should develop merchant shipping including cabotage trade. A good start is to partner with the relevant associations in this field, such as the Nigeria Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA), Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Oil Trade Group & Maritime Trade Group of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

“A cursory look at their vision, mission and objectives, show that they are willing to improve the maritime sector, not just for their members but for stakeholders in the maritime economy and the country”.

Adding that it is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a through briefing and regular consultation with ships owners, in other to have insight on the challenges facing the ship owners.

“It is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a thorough briefing and regular consultations with shipowners, to receive insight on the challenges they face, and how the Agency can assist in solving them and encouraging them to invest and participate in the maritime sector, for its development.

“NIMASA should see them as partners in progress because, if they do not invest in buying ships and registering them in Nigeria, there would be no Nigerian-owned ships in its Register and NIMASA would be unable to discharge its main objective.

The Maritime lawyer also urged NIMASA to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF)that currently stands at about N44.6 billion.

“Lest it be forgotten, what is on the lips of almost every shipowner, is the need to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (the CVFF’), which was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, 2003. It was established to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity, by providing financial assistance to Nigerian citizens and shipping companies wholly owned by Nigerian operating in the domestic coastal shipping, to purchase and maintain vessels and build shipping capacity.

“Research shows that this fund has grown to about N44.6billion; and that due to its non-disbursement, financial institutions have repossessed some vessels, resulting in a 43% reduction of the number of operational indigenous shipping companies in Nigeria, in the past few years.

“Without beating around the bush, to promote indigenous maritime development, prompt action must be taken by NIMASA to commence the disbursement of this Fund to qualified shipowners pursuant to the extant Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (“CVFF”) Regulations.

“Indeed, as part of its statutory functions, NIMASA is to enforce and administer the provisions of the Cabotage Act 2003 and develop and implement policies and programmes which will facilitate the growth of local capacity in ownership, manning and construction of ships and other maritime infrastructure. Disbursing the CVFF is one of the ways NIMASA can fulfill this mandate.

“To assist in this task, there must be collaboration between NIMASA, financial institutions, the Minister of Transportation, as contained in the CVFF Regulations that are yet to be implemented”, the legal guru highlighted further.

He urged the agency to create the right environment for its stakeholders to build on and engender the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders.

“Lastly, which is the main reason why we are all here, cessation of ministerial waivers on some cabotage requirements, which I believe is worth applause in favour of NIMASA.

“This is because it appears that the readiness to obtain/grant waivers had made some of the vessels and their owners engaged in cabotage trade, to become complacent and indifferent in quickly ensuring that they updated their capacities, so as not to require the waivers.

“The cessation of waivers is a way of forcing the relevant stakeholders of the maritime sector, to find workable solutions within, for maritime development and fill the gaps in the local capacities in 100% Nigerian crewing, ship ownership, and ship building, that had necessitated the existence of the waivers since about 15 years ago, when the Cabotage Act came into being.

“However, NIMASA must ensure that the right environment is provided for its stakeholders to build and possess the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders. Or better still, that they are solved within the next 5 years of its intention to stop granting waivers”, he further explained.

Breaking News: The Funeral Rites of Matriarch C. Ogbeifun is Live

Published

6 years ago

March 7, 2019

Maritime First

The Burial Ceremony of Engr. Greg Ogbeifun’s mother is live. Watch on the website: www.maritimefirstnewspaper.com and on Youtube: Maritimefirst Newspaper.

Wind Farm Vessel Collision Leaves 15 Injured

Published

6 years ago

February 20, 2019

Maritime First

…As Valles Steamship Orders 112,000 dwt Tanker from South Korea***

A wind farm supply vessel and a cargo ship collided in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday leaving 15 injured.

The Cyprus-flagged 80-meter general cargo ship Raba collided with Denmark-flagged 31-meter wind farm supply vessel World Bora near Rügen Island, about three nautical miles off the coast of Hamburg.

Many of those injured were service engineers on the wind farm vessel, and 10 were seriously hurt.

They were headed to Iberdrola’s 350MW Wikinger wind farm. Nine of the people on board the World Bora were employees of Siemens Gamesa, two were employees of Iberdrola and four were crew.

The cause of the incident is not yet known, and no pollution has been reported.

After the collision, the two ships were able to proceed to Rügen under their own power, and the injured were then taken to hospital.

Lifeboat crews from the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service tended to them prior to their transport to hospital via ambulance and helicopter.

“Iberdrola wishes to thank the rescue services for their diligence and professionalism,” the company said in a statement.

In the meantime, the Hong Kong-based shipowner Valles Steamship has ordered a new 112,000 dwt crude oil tanker from South Korea’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering.

Sumitomo is to deliver the Aframax to Valles Steamship by the end of 2020, according to data provided by Asiasis.

The newbuild Aframax will join seven other Aframaxes in Valles Steamship’s fleet. Other ships operated by the company include Panamax bulkers and medium and long range product tankers.

The company’s most-recently delivered unit is the 114,426 dwt Aframax tanker Seagalaxy. The naming and delivery of the tanker took place in February 2019, at Namura Shipbuilding’s yard in Japan.

Maritime Executive with additional report from World Maritime News