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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is ramping up pressure on port operators to prioritise and expedite the clearance of power project cargoes, warning that delays could stall critical investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Shema stressed that port efficiency is pivotal to delivering national infrastructure, urging terminal operators, shipping lines, and contractors to give priority handling to power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment.
He warned that persistent bottlenecks in cargo clearance could undermine the Federal Government’s drive to improve electricity supply, noting that strict adherence to project timelines depends on seamless logistics.
“Everything must be done to accelerate cargo inflow and delivery to project sites. Speed is critical to meeting power project deadlines,” he said.
Akutah, in his remarks, acknowledged ongoing modernization efforts by operators, noting that digitalisation is already improving cargo handling and vessel turnaround times. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to regulatory oversight while encouraging sustained infrastructure investment.
He further disclosed that export volumes are climbing, with some operators recording growth of up to 30 percent—an indicator of Nigeria’s gradual shift toward a more balanced trade mix.
At APM Terminals, the Managing Director, Kamal Alhraishat highlighted the company’s long-term investment strategy, citing gains from digitisation and operational upgrades.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to expedite dredging to a 13.5-metre draft to enable larger vessel calls.
Similarly, CMA CGM Nigeria Managing Director Hinelder Ferreira reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to efficient service delivery through fully digitalised processes.
On tariffs, he noted that rising inflation has driven up operating costs, making price adjustments inevitable, while advocating broad stakeholder engagement to ensure a balanced rollout.
