The Nigerian Ports Authority in its Quarterly report of 1st Quarter, 2013 has witnessed increased gross tonnage of coastal vessels and Cargo traffic over the same period in 2012.
Available statistics shows that Gross tonnage of coastal vessels was 2,237,822mt, an increase of 23% over 1st quarter 2012 figure of 1,810,423.
Laden Container Throughput was 216,110 TEUs, a growth of 2.9% over 1st Quarter 2012 figures of 210,057TEUs. It was also recorded that Refined petroleum was 4,886,001metric tons, indicating an increase of 10.3% over 1st Quarter 2012 figure of 4,431,318metric tons.
The increase recorded in the 1st Quarter was due to the continuous effort of the Organization in engaging in maintenance dredging which allowed for bigger vessels to visit the ports. The increase in importation of refined petroleum was due to the stability in the oil and gas industry after the conclusion of the oil subsidy probe in 2012 and the subsequent resumption of importation.
The Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi , has said that with the tremendous support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian Ports Authority has continued to engage in massive infrastructural development which has resulted to the above performance.
“The effort will be intensified as we vigorously pursue our vision to make Nigerian Ports the hub of the West and Central African Region, ” said Abdullahi.
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Press Release, July 1, 2013