The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed that sustained engagement with port service providers remains critical to unlocking development and improving efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime sector.

This position was reiterated by the Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, during a courtesy visit to CMA CGM in Apapa, led by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Pius Akutah.

Shema noted that port service providers play a pivotal role in achieving the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy, stressing that continuous collaboration would enhance operational efficiency and attract critical investments.

He urged terminal operators and shipping companies to prioritise and fast-track the clearance of power sector equipment, warning that delays at the ports could undermine efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity supply chain.

According to him, efficient port operations are essential for the timely delivery of infrastructure projects, particularly in power generation and transmission, where logistics bottlenecks could disrupt project timelines.

The NSC Chairman further emphasised the need for stronger policy coordination among stakeholders, noting that improved efficiency would not only boost trade volumes but also increase government revenue.

In his remarks, Akutah commended
operators for ongoing modernisation efforts, which he said have significantly enhanced cargo handling processes and vessel turnaround time. He added that export volumes are witnessing notable growth, with some operators recording increases of up to 30 percent and an indication of progress toward a more balanced trade ecosystem.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of CMA CGM, Hinelder Ferreira, highlighted the company’s commitment to efficient service delivery through digitalisation, while the Managing Director ofAPM Terminals, Kamal Alhraishat, pointed to sustained investments and operational upgrades as key drivers of improved performance.

The NSC delegation also visited APM Terminals as part of its broader assessment of service delivery across the nation’s ports, reinforcing the Council’s regulatory mandate to promote efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in the maritime sector.