FG secures £746 facility to modernise Apapa, Tin-Can ports

Maritime  expert, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, says the Federal Government has secured a 746 million pounds facility for the rehabilitation and modernisation of Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.

Ebubeogu, Chairman Ports Operations and Security Committee, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos, while reviewing port operations and security in the second quarter of 2026.

He said the facility would support the transformation of the ports to green and smart standards through automation and other digital technologies.

According to him, the modernisation will provide improved cargo-handling equipment, reduce vessel turnaround time and cargo dwell time, enhance competitiveness and environmental sustainability, and increase port revenue.

He said the Federal Government had also awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of the Escravos breakwaters and Terminals A and C, while the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a channel management consortium for the maintenance and deepening of channels serving Delta ports.

Ebubeogu said Rivers Port Terminal 1, operated by PTOL, was also receiving attention under the modernisation programme, with berths one to three being upgraded to improve efficiency and safety.

He said Calabar Port would benefit from increased maintenance dredging, while McKaiva and Malero jetties would also receive attention to improve operations and facilitate trade along the eastern corridor.

The chairman said the oversight of inland dry ports had been redesigned, with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as landlord, assuming responsibility for their administration in line with its statutory mandate.

He added that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had transitioned to the Nigerian Port Economy Regulatory Agency, which would regulate tariffs, charges and rates of shipping companies and terminal operators.

Ebubeogu said site clearing had begun at the Snake Island concession area as part of efforts to expand port capacity, attract investment and improve competitiveness.

He said the logistics plan also included the construction of a standard-gauge, single-track freight railway from Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABTL) to Tin-Can Island Port, with junction works, an elevated urban section, a bay crossing and signalling facilities.

According to him, the railway, when completed, will reduce vehicular traffic along the Apapa corridor and facilitate cargo movement by rail and water.

“Seaports facilitate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by providing high-capacity corridors for the movement of goods at lower costs.

“To benefit from AfCFTA, it is imperative to upgrade port infrastructure, digitalise operations, reform customs procedures, develop the fleet and implement an integrated master plan,” he said.

Ebubeogu said stakeholders had also participated in a National Single Window awareness forum for chief executives and personnel, while a Port Clearance Audit workshop held on Sept. 10 sensitised stakeholders on compliance and collaboration.

He stressed the importance of port security, particularly in view of piracy and cargo theft in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, the Deep Blue Project has contributed to a reduction in insurance premiums by 60 per cent, while sustained inter-agency collaboration and surveillance remain necessary to safeguard maritime operations.

The Port Manager, Calabar Port, Mr Alex Ekine, said draft limitation remained a major challenge affecting the arrival of bigger vessels despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

Ekine said channel management companies were now part of the port system, adding that arrangements were underway to receive new tugboats and establish pilot quarters to support the handling of larger vessels.

Similarly, the Port Manager, Delta Ports, Alhaji Sa’adu Muhammed, said the FEC approval for a channel management company would boost operations and create more business opportunities.

Muhammed also identified draft limitation as a challenge at Delta Ports but said the port contributed about 10.7 per cent of NPA revenue through service boat operations despite low activity at Warri.

He said continued engagement among stakeholders would help address challenges, improve collaboration and strengthen the development of Nigeria’s port system.