NPA Commissions New Tugboats To Enhance Operations At Dangote Refinery, Lekki Port

The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has commissioned two newly acquired Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboats for berthing of vessels at Lekki Deep Seaport, Dangote petroleum and fertiliser Refinery.

LEADERSHIP reports that the acquisition of the marine craft Christened MT IRAGBIJI and MT BAMA, was in continuation of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA’s) effort at improving operational efficiency and responding to the global advances in maritime technology.

However, speaking at the commissioning of the newly acquired marine craft by NPA, Oyetola, stated that the equipment will enhance smooth berthing and enhanced operations at the Lekki corridors.

He further stated that the acquisition was inline with the government’s efforts to enhance port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime nation in the region.

“This milestone marks another significant step further in the government’s efforts to enhance port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime nation in the region. The acquisition of these two multi-functional capacity tugboats will complement the existing fleet of ASD Neoteric 80 Tons Bollard Pull Tugboats. This administration’s commitment to investing in the development of our maritime assets is resolute.

“We recognise the critical role that efficient port operations play in accelerating economic growth and will do all that is required to update the existing facilities to deliver on this. The smooth operation of the Lekki corridor, which hosts Nigeria’s fully automated Deep Seaport, Africa’s largest Granulated Urea Fertilizer Complex, and the Largest Single-train Refinery in the World will be enhanced by the deployment of these crafts,” he said

According to the former governor of Osun State, the ministry’s goal was to work together to make Nigeria a global reference point for excellence in port operations.

He also stated that the ministry would religiously implement all the key components of the port operations to make the ports competitive, efficient and effective.

“We are determined to optimise our competitive edge as a littoral nation and deepen our efficiencies through the deployment of cutting-edge technology and equipment. As we move forward, we will continue to support inter-agency collaborations and encourage innovative solutions to drive trade facilitation and national prosperity. Our collective goal is to work together to make Nigeria a global reference point for excellence in port operations,” he ended.

Speaking earlier, the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said with hosting of Lekki port, Dangote refinery and fertiliser plants, the Lekki corridor has become a hub for actualising Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in energy, agricultural growth and trade transshipment capacity.

He, however assured that the newly deployed Marine craft will positively affect the turnaround time of large vessels as the deployment would enable stakeholders leverage the concomitant benefits of economies of scale, especially cost savings

“This occasion is part of the fulfilment of our deliverables under the Presidential, Ministerial Performance Bond to optimise Nigeria’s marine and blue economy by providing relevant marine technology and equipment to support port security, patrol, surveillance and most importantly deliver efficient pilotage and towage services to support the growing cargo evacuation needs of the Lekki maritime corridor.

“The Lekki corridor has become a hub for actualizing Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in energy, agricultural growth and trade transshipment capacity with its hosting of a 650,000 Barrels-Per-Day Dangote Refinery, Africa’s Largest Granulated Urea Fertilizer Complex and Nigeria’s first fully automated Deep Seaport which has capacity to berth Super Post Panamax Size Ships.

“With the data for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals showing that 120 Tanker Vessels have been handled in the six months’ period from January – June 2024 with a projection for 415 between July to December, whilst Dangote Fertilisers have handled 17 Fertiliser Vessels with a projection for 41 in the corresponding period, we are by this commissioning and ancillary deployments putting mechanisms in place to cater for continuous increase going forward.

“In addition to positively affecting the turnaround time of large vessels, their deployment will enable stakeholders to leverage the concomitant benefits of economies of scale, especially cost savings,” he stated.

Also speaking, comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said Customs has found it comfortable to work with the NPA to develop the export sector, automate Customs processes, decongest the port, and ensure port efficiency.

According to him, the collaboration between Customs and NPA has started yielding good fruits as the NPA and the Customs were recently ranked high by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in line with the vision of the present administration to reposition the Nigerian maritime sector.

He assured that Customs would do all within its capacity to remain on top of ease of doing business ranking for the growth of the maritime industry.

On his part, the director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, lauded the NPA and Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy for the leading role played in driving efficient service delivery in the nation’s port industry.

He said trade facilitation comes with efficiency and only efficient service delivery would enable Nigeria to regain cargo lost to neighbouring West African ports.