THE intractable challenges associated with the evacuation of empty containers from the Lagos ports has taken a different dimension following a widespread allegation by importers, clearing agents, freight forwarders and logistics providers that Nigeria has become dump ground for expired containers.

The Rector, Maritine Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd) has called forsanctions, including jail-terms for operators who discriminate or abuse female workforce on board ships in Nigeria. This is even as the Rector urged ship-owners to employ more females in their workforce in line with the theme of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2019 Day Of The Seafarers which states “On-board with gender equality”. Speaking to Maritime journalists on the sideline of the 2019 Day Of The Seafarers organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos on Tuesday, the MAN Rector explained that the Academy is on-board with gender equality.

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee, PEBEC, and the foreign shipping lines operating in Nigeria have now increased the free storage days for imported cargoes to 12 days from 5 days.

The absence of shipping policy backed up by a proper legal framework in the country is affecting the development of the industry.

According to the report, the Nigerian maritime industry continues to receive support from stakeholders in repositioning it for efficiency and global best practices a development that has led to an encouraging move in the Liner shipping connectivity index