By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria, in technical partnership with the Sea Empowerment & Research Center, has called for urgent regulatory reforms to address mounting challenges confronting indigenous barge operators within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
This position was contained in a formal submission presented to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on April 8, 2026, following a stakeholder engagement convened in compliance with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The association commended the Council for what it described as a timely and necessary intervention aimed at strengthening operational efficiency across the port system.
In the submission, BOAN stressed that barging has evolved beyond a peripheral activity to become a critical backbone of port logistics in Nigeria, playing a pivotal role in decongesting seaports, supporting multimodal transportation, and enhancing supply chain efficiency. However, it warned that despite this growing importance, indigenous operators are increasingly constrained by operational and structural bottlenecks that require immediate regulatory attention.
Central to the concerns raised by the association are issues of access, transparency, and competitive balance. BOAN pointed to growing cases of unequal and, in some instances, restricted access to terminals and berthing windows, a situation it said undermines efficiency and distorts fair competition. It also highlighted the absence of clear and standardized tariff and operational frameworks, noting that this creates uncertainty and exposes operators to avoidable cost pressures. The association further raised concerns over what it described as perceived, and in some cases demonstrable, imbalance in operational treatment, particularly where foreign-linked operators appear to enjoy preferential conditions.
While making its case, BOAN clarified that its submission is not a call for protectionism but rather an appeal for fairness, transparency, and regulatory consistency within the port ecosystem. It maintained that, from a technical standpoint, including ongoing work in barge-enabled liquid cargo transportation, the capacity and competence of indigenous operators are not in doubt, but emphasized that an enabling environment is required for that capacity to be fully optimized.
To address these challenges, the association urged the Council to enforce non-discriminatory access protocols across all terminals, ensure standardization and transparency in tariff structures affecting barge operations, strengthen regulatory oversight to guarantee fair competition, and formally recognize barging as critical logistics infrastructure within port operations.
BOAN emphasized that fostering a level playing field for barge operators is not only an industry concern but a national economic imperative, noting that a well-supported barging system would significantly reduce pressure on road infrastructure, lower logistics costs, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s position within the blue economy. The association reiterated its commitment to constructive collaboration with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in driving reforms that will deliver a more efficient, fair, and sustainable maritime sector.
