Maritime Agencies
Container Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called for an enhanced coordination between her on one hand, shipping lines, terminal operators and others on the other, to address challenges associated with container movement to seaports.
Enhanced coordination, the agency says, has become necessary following public outcry over the delay in evacuation of empty containers, a situation that has led to yard congestion at the APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
The NPA made the call during a crucial meeting between her, major shipping lines and the APM Terminals to discuss challenges and how to chart a way forward.
Enhanced cooperation, the agency noted, is in line with the commitment of the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, to ensure smooth port operations free from encumbrances.
The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara who
Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Thursday, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, informed that the meeting which held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the instance of the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, had in attendance major shipping lines. These included Maersk Line, Hapag Lloyd and Pacific International Lines. Others are PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping and APM Terminals (APMT).
All shipping lines in attendance at the meeting, Onyemekara said, submitted that they had holding bays, a prerequisite for license renewal by the NPA.
“They also posited that the NPA Headquarters’ Operations Team usually inspects those holding bays to ascertain their capacity before license renewal”, the GM stated.
While requesting all the shipping lines to submit a list detailing their holding bays, including locations and capacity, the Port Management emphasized the need to be involved in the examination of those holding bays so as to keep abreast of the potential operational challenges.
On the terminal capacity at the APM Terminals, Onyemekara quoted the shipping lines as saying that the Management of APMT usually communicates available free pools to each shipping line in order to guide their container movement.
He stated that the shipping lines also blamed the significant congestion during the period under review on a simultaneous gate closure to all the shipping lines by the management of APMT.
He however said that the APMT management insisted that the terminal reached its full capacity due to increased import and export volume arguing that there was a notable delay in the evacuation of both imports and exports by the shipping lines.
Speaking on the resolutions reached at the meeting, the NPA spokesman observed that it was resolved that the APMT should regularly communicate yard stock levels to the shipping lines to improve planning and coordination.
“It was also resolved that the notification period prior to terminal gate closure should be revised as follows: five (5) days initial notice in advance; three (3) days reminder before closure and one day (1) final notice before closure.
“While it was further resolved that APMT was to engage off dock terminals by moving import containers to off dock terminals in order to create more space within the terminal, the Port Management should actively participate in the inspection and assessment of holding bays to better understand and manage capacity and operational challenges.
“While all parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities, it was agreed that better communication, timely notification and strategic use of holding bays and bonded terminals were critical to alleviating pressure on terminal capacity”, he submitted.
He thereafter quoted the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal as emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced coordination among terminal operators, shipping lines and the port management to address the growing challenges related to terminal congestion, especially due to the accumulation of empty containers.
Recall that there have been insinuations suggesting that APM Terminals Apapa is not receiving empty containers, allegedly contributing to yard congestion. However, the terminal operator has clarified that the management of empty container evacuation into the terminal – and subsequent shipment onto vessels – is the exclusive responsibility of shipping lines, which own and control all containers.
In a statement recently, APM Terminals Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, said due to a sharp and sustained surge in import cargo volumes over recent weeks, shipping lines have had to prioritize discharging incoming laden containers over evacuating empties. This operational shift has resulted in a growing inventory of empty containers within the terminal, significantly limiting yard space.
“As a result of this accumulation, APM Terminals Apapa has had to temporarily restrict the reception of additional empty containers until the existing stock is cleared by the shipping lines”, Knudsen said.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoREPORTER’S DIARY: How Lagos State Task Force Made Me ‘Igbobi Landlord’ For Filming Operatives Extorting Suspected ‘Okada’ Operators In Apapa*
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNew MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoCapt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.