Nigerian ports record 15.4% rise in cargo throughput

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Cargo throughput at the nation’s seaports rose by
15.4 per cent to 41.32 million metric tonnes in the first half of 2014 compared
to 35.81 million metric tonnes recorded in the corresponding period of 2013,
according to figures released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Tuesday.

Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of the NPA,
Musa Ilya, who released the figures stated that liquefied natural gas (LNG)
shipment stood at 10.42 million metric tonnes representing a growth of 23 per
cent over 8.46 million metric tonnes recorded in the first half of 2013;
while 5.98 million metric tonnes of general cargo were handled at the port,
indicating an increase of 1.3 per cent over 5.90 million metric tonnes recorded
in the corresponding period of 2013.

Ilya said dry bulk cargo handled at the port within
the period increased by 5.9 per cent to close at 4.84 million metric tonnes;
volume of refined petroleum products increased by 3.6 per cent to close at
10.19 million metric tonnes; laden container volume rose by 14 per cent to
close at 509,946 TEUs while empty container throughput stood at 364,745 TEUs,
representing an increase of 14.2 per cent over the corresponding period of
2013.

The NPA figure also indicated that a total of
154,846 units of vehicles were handled in the period under review showing an
increase of 16.5 per cent over the same period of 2013 figure of 132,930 units.

“In the first half of 2014, a total of 2,719 oceans
going vessels called at all Nigerian Ports showing an increase of 12% over the
2013 figure of 2,427 vessels. The total Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT)
of the vessels that called in the first half of 2014 was 70,659,820 metric
tons indicating an increase of 17.57% over the corresponding 2013 first
half GRT of 60,096,179 metric tons.

“In the period under review, Lagos Port Complex
(LPC) recorded a gross registered tonnage of 17,367,180 showing an increase of
7.2 per cent over 16,189,825 gross tons achieved in 2013. A total of 727
vessels were handled in the period under review.

“Tin can Island Port recorded a gross registered
tonnage of 23,493,612, indicating an increase of 0.1 per cent over 19,666,634
gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. A total number of 892
ocean going vessels were handled within the period.

“Rivers Port complex recorded a total gross
registered tonnage of 3,676,757, showing 7.6 per cent growth over 3,418,309
gross tons achieved in the corresponding period of 2013. A total of 228 ocean
going vessels were handled within the period under review.

“Onne Port complex recorded a GRT of 19,769,896
reflecting an increase of 12.4 per cent over 17,586,716 gross tons recorded in
the corresponding period of 2013 with 425 vessels handled within the period.

“Calabar Port complex recorded a total GRT of
2,011,358 showing a rise of 50.3 per cent over 1,337,475 gross tons of 2013,
with 137 Ocean going vessels handled in the period under review.

“Delta Port Complex recorded 70,659,820 gross tons,
showing an increase of 17.6 per cent over the 2013 figure of 60,096,179 gross
tons, with 2,719 vessels handled,” he stated.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi,
said that the present management will continue to be focused and consistent in
its effort to achieve its vision of building the leading port in Africa by
rehabilitating port infrastructure, engaging in constant dredging of the
channels and implementation of sound financial policies such as e-payment
solution among others.

The success recorded so far in the operations at all
Nigerian ports, according to him, is largely traceable to the transformation
agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, which has provided the enabling
environment for increased participation of both foreign and local investors in
the port industry.