Maritime

MARITIME transport is essential to the world’s economy as over 90% of the world’s trade is carried by sea and it is, by far, the most-effective way to move huge volumes of goods and raw materials around the world.

AS Nigerian economy struggles with oil price volatility in the international market, stakeholders in the maritime sector are calling on the Federal Government to put measures in place to adequately harness other sources of income.

FOR the first quarter of 2015, not less than 5,139 oceans going vessels with a total Gross Tonnage (GT) of 61,990,999 called at Nigerian Ports compared with GT of 57,034,338 recorded in 2014.

Breakdown of the seizures revealed that among the vehicles were six Land cruiser Prado, Land cruiser VXR, Toyota Fortuner, Lexus LX 570 and Mercedes Benz CLS 350, “all 2014/2015 model”. The development is coming barely one week after the units made seizures of forty-two (42) various contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of…

THE Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium, Princess Vicky Haastrup has identified policy summersault as a major challenge confronting the maritime industry in Nigeria. Speaking in Lagos, Haastrup said stakeholders in the sector needs an enabling environment to operate and contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria’s economy. Haastrup said: “We need an enabling environment.…

DESPITE oil price turbulence and falling container rates, Maersk Group has insisted on a forecast of a $4billion profit for 2015. Group profit for the second quarter was $1billion, down from $2.3billion in quarter two 2014; revenues also fell from $11.9billion to $10.5billion. At APM Terminals, profit for the quarter fell to $161million from $223million…

APM Terminals Apapa has announced the appointment of Olufemi Ransom-Kuti as its Deputy Managing Director. A statement issued by the company explained that Olufemi brings to this role 14 years of experience in supply chain operations and project management. Before joining APM Terminals, he worked with Lafarge WAPCO where he served as the General Manager,…

THE International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA) has urged the Federal Government to develop the political will to fix bad portions of the ports’ access roads in Lagos. IFFA explained on Monday that the state of roads that lead to both the ports of Tin Can Island and Lagos port complex, Apapa, and the international airport…

THE Evergreen Group has signed an agreement with CSBC Corporation in Taiwan for ten 2,800- Twenty foot Equivalent (TEU) class B-type vessels. The delivery of the first ship is scheduled for the second half of 2017 while the remaining ships is to be delivered by the first half of 2018. The group’s second vice chairman…

THE Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has conducted a two-day training session for maritime journalists in Lagos State. Speaking at the end of the session, Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, said there is need for government to improve on the infrastructures at the seaports as part of measures to aid trade growth.

THE President of Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Nigeria), Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere has been elected 1st Vice President of Women in Maritime in Africa (WIMAFRICA). Anishere was elected at the just concluded activities marking the Africa Union celebration of Africa’s Ocean and Seas in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BETWEEN January and June, this year, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone "C" Owerri arrested 30 suspects and recovered N24.2million under-payment Speaking on the performance of the unit within the period, Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Dimka Victor David, also disclosed that 48 seizures was recorded.