Barge movement of cargoes from Lagos ports rises by 45%

…as NPA heightens compliance

The movement of consignments by barges has risen by 45 per cent. Daily Trust Investigation has revealed.

This is even as the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) vowed to enforce all safety regulations to avoid recklessness of operators at sea.

The move to enforce strict compliance may not be unconnected to recent cases of boat mishaps caused by barge operations.

Most of the private terminal operators who were unwilling to exploit the water transport option in the movement of containers have embraced barge operations.

This has forced the movement of containers by barges to go up by 45 per cent as against the previous 40 per cent.

The number is expected to rise beyond the recent 45 per cent as the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) battle to ensure more cargoes are moved water.

It was also gathered as a result of the improved operation at the port, some vessels destined for Apapa port are now being drafted to Tin-can to be accommodated. 

The vessel waiting time at the port has improved from about two weeks some time last year to about 48 hours.