NPA records 86.6m metric tonnes in cargo throughput

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recorded a cargo throughput of 86,603,903 metric tonnes of cargo in 2014, showing an increase of 12.64%.6 per cent over the 2013 figure of 76,886,997 metric tonnes.

In the statement signed by the Assistant General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Iliya Musa, the LNG shipment topped the figure with 21,679,330 metric tons, indicating an increase of 12.1% over 19,341,663 metric tons in 2013.

The Nigerian LNG, according to the statement has maintained its reputation as a reliable and secure supplier of LNG .This has been the major contributor to the continued growth of its shipment and results posted in the last year under review.

The year under review also showed strong growth in the General Cargo trade as it recorded 14,502,263metric tons, an increase of 21.2% over 11,964,978 metric tons in 2013 while Dry Bulk stood at 9,843,199 metric tons, showing an increase of 3.2% over 9,537,442 metric tons achieved in 2013, the statement said.

Refined Petroleum was 20,736,699 metric tons, an increase of 6.8% over 19,416,043 metric tons in 2013.

Laden Container Throughput was 1,063,380 TEUs, a growth of 5.2% over 1,010,836TEUs in 2013.Empty Container Throughput was 790,586 TEUs, an increase of 10.3% over 717,011 TEUs in 2013.

This shows that Nigeria remains a significant hub of containerized goods in the West and Central Africa.
Crude Oil shipment stood at 107,880,239 metric tons, an increase of 0.2% over 107,686,011 metric tons in 2013.

Similarly, the total of 5,541, oceans going vessels with a total Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 147,852,920 gross tons called at Nigerian Ports.

In the period under review, Lagos Port Complex (LPC) recorded a Gross registered tonnage of 36,969,456, showing an increase of 7.2 per cent over 34,466,291 gross tons achieved in the same period of 2013.

Tin can Island Port recorded a Gross registered tonnage of 50,011,289, indicating 17 per cent increase over the corresponding period of 2013 which was 42,758,161 gross tons.

Calabar Port complex recorded a total GRT of 4,085,903 showing an increase of 46.3 per cent compare with 2,792,488 gross tons recorded in 2013.

Rivers Port complex recorded a total Gross registered tonnage of 7,304,591, representing 14.2per cent growth over 6,394,270 gross tons achieved in the corresponding period of 2013.

Onne Port complex recorded a GRT of 41,854,687, reflecting an increase of 7.4 per cent over 38,967,131 gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.

Delta Port Complex recorded 7,626,994 grosstons showing an increase of 21.1 per cent over the year 2013 figure of 6,295,995 gross tons,

Analysis of the report above has also confirmed that most of the ports recorded increase in the Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of vessels mainly due to the capital and maintenance dredging of the channel by our Joint Venture (JV) Companies, the statement said. 

The companies involved in channel maintenance were identified as the Lagos Channel Management (LCM) Company, for the management of the Lagos channel and the Bonny Channel management (BCC) Company for the management of the Bonny channel.

Commenting on the 2014 result, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Habib Abdullahi, said that the Authority was on course, adding that to achieve the success so far recorded , management continued to pay attention to first and foremost, improving existing port infrastructures in the areas of rehabilitation of port quay walls and aprons, deepening of our channels, upgrading of our common user facilities and wreck removal from our channels.

According to him ,the resultant effect was the biggest vessel with a length overall 232.33 meters and capacity of 4,500 TEUS requiring draught of 13.5 Meters that has started visiting the nation’s ports.

He said this was due to the consistent dredging campaign.