The Nigerian Ports Authority said that it witnessed increased gross tonnage of vessels in August 2012, when its performances for the same period in 2011 are considered.
In release which was signed by the agency’s general manager, public affairs; Chief Michael Ajayi and which was made available to our correspondent, it says total gross tonnage in August was10,809,321 metric tonne which showed a 7.8 per cent increase over the same period in 2011 which was 10,026,813 metric tonne.
The Nigerian Ports Authority said that it witnessed increased gross tonnage of vessels in August 2012, when its performances for the same period in 2011 are considered.
In release which was signed by the agency’s general manager, public affairs; Chief Michael Ajayi and which was made available to our correspondent, it says total gross tonnage in August was10,809,321 metric tonne which showed a 7.8 per cent increase over the same period in 2011 which was 10,026,813 metric tonne.
According to NPA, the “number of coastal vessels completed was 1,809 indicating a growth of four per cent over August 2011 figure of 1,739 ships.”
Similarly, the gross tonnage of the coastal vessels was 708,584 metric tonne, representing a rise of 8.6% over the August 2011 figure of 652,437.
Available statistics also show that cargo throughput in August was 6,872,901 metric tons which is an increase of about 4.9% over the same period of August 2011 when cargo throughput was 6,552,596metric tons.
General cargo was 1,311,376 metric tons, representing ad an increase of 29.5% over August 2011 figure.
However, laden container throughput in August was 75,056teus which showed a 5.3% increase over the corresponding period in 2011, when throughput was 71,263teus.
Also vehicle traffic in the month under review stood at 25,531 units representing a 12.4% increase over the August 2011 figure of 22,722 units
According to the NPA image-maker, “Nigerian Ports Authority has continued to attract bigger vessels with large volumes of cargo as a result of its consistent effort in engaging in regular dredging and maintenance of our channels.”
The Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, has said that more efforts will be put into rehabilitation of rails, port infrastructure, roads, and removal of wrecks in order to encourage quick turnaround time of vessels, speedy clearance of Cargo, and greater efficiency in all the Ports in Nigeria.
The statement also quotes the NPA boss as saying that with the renewed effort of the Federal Government in revamping the rail and road network, speedy clearance of goods from the ports will further improve operational statistics.
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