Emmanuel Ochayi
In a development for Nigeria’s maritime sector, shipowners have entered partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to bolster ship acquisition.
The collaboration, revealed after a meeting in Lagos facilitated by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, aims to overcome fiscal challenges plaguing the industry.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelManaging Director of NNPC Shipping, Mr Panos Gliatis, advocated a pooling system as a viable approach to address hurdles in ship acquisition. He expressed optimism, stating, “In the next few years, we can hope to see more Nigerian ships, and the pooling system is an idea that is in the works.”
READ ALSO: Red Sea Shipping Giants Suspend Trade Routes Amid Houthi Threats
Gliatis highlighted the importance of impartiality, transparency, and equal sharing of earnings within the proposed system. Emphasizing the need to address challenges collectively, he expressed hope for fruitful collaboration with Nigerian shipowners.
President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mr Aminu Umar, characterized the meeting as an opportunity for constructive collaboration.
He urged stakeholders to work together, stating, “If we bring all our strengths together, there is a high possibility that we will change the way the industry stands today.”
However, challenges persist as highlighted by Mr Sola Adewunmi, President of the Nigeria Shipowners Association.
He lamented the inability of Nigerian shipowners to attract investors due to job unavailability and the exclusion of indigenous operators in the supply of crude oil to Dangote refinery.
To address these issues, President of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Mr Sonny Eja, emphasized the necessity for unity among Nigerian shipowners. Eja advocated a unified body exploring the pooling strategy, asserting that it would be more successful in engaging government agencies and tackling industry challenges.
Vice President of NCS, Ify Akerele, underscored the importance of collaboration among shipowners as private entities to avoid potential political conflicts. Akerele affirmed the chamber’s commitment to engaging stakeholders to find comprehensive solutions for the challenges facing the country’s shipowners.
