Despite the huge maritime potentials in the country, Nigeria is not ranked amongst the first five countries in the continent in terms of maritime connectivity.

THE Port Facility Security Officers, PFSO, Forum of the Lagos Maritime Security Zone, MSZ, has advocated for the integration of the various maritime command control centres across the country saying that their individuality has not helped in curbing criminal activities in the nation’s coastal and territorial waters.

NIGERIAN Association of Stevedoring Companies, NASC, has accused the International Oil Companies, IOC, operating in Nigeria of putting on hold the engagement of dockworkers, apparently due to uncertainties over the upcoming election.

MOVING into the Smart Ship Era What’s next? It’s a simple question to ask but it’s not so simple to answer. Companies are constantly scanning the horizon to see what’s coming and what the future holds.

The Nigerian maritime industry may be attracting investments worth USD30 billion (about N10.8 trillion) in 2019 financial year.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said that the Federal Government has successfully worked hard through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to reposition the Nigerian maritime industry for the nation’s economic growth.

FOLLOWING the absence of locally owned ships operating in international waters which has affected the sea time training for Nigerian seafarers, the Federal Government has been charged to put policies in place to increase the nation’s ship owning capacity.

Despite the difficult business environment experienced in 2018 and uncertainties of the 2019 general election outcome, operators in the maritime industry are optimistic that a more conducive environment will come on stream in 2019. Consequently, they expect the industry to record significant growth during the year.

Stakeholders experience in the Apapa port areas, there are also indications that residents of the area are leaving under permanent fear of fire disaster.

lagos—Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has inaugurated an advisory council to advise its leadership on how to handle challenges that may arise in the sector with implications to the union.

SIFAX Group, a multinational corporation with diverse interests in Maritime, Aviation, Haulage & Logistics, Oil & Gas and Hospitality, has rewarded and honoured 60 staff at its 2018 Long Service Award.

Josepdam Ports Service Nigeria Limited, JPS, operators of terminal A, Tin-can Island port, has handled 150 metric tons of general cargo which is approximately 250 metric tons this year, Managing Director, Simon Travers, has said.

A consultant in the maritime business, Captain Suleiman Baiyee, has claimed that the maritime environment generates more than 75% of the country’s revenue through the handling of over 90% imports and exports business by Nigerians.

Chairman of the Shippers Association of Lagos State, Jonathan Nicol, has rise alarm over hard times his members are made face in the course of clearing their goods from the ports by officials of the various government agencies, terminal operators and shipping companies.

The Managing Director of  Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside and the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, are among dignitaries expected at the 2018 National Conference of the Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) Forum of Nigeria holding in Calabar, Cross River State.