The Nigerian Ports Authority has said that investments in barge operations in 2022 are estimated to be over N20bn.
The agency in the July- September edition of its magazine titled, ‘ Nigerian Ports Today’ said it licensed about 58 barge operators as of 2020.
The report also said that the business had given employment to over 3000 persons directly and another 2000 persons indirectly.
It also said that in 2022, an estimate of about 2000 barges operated within the Lagos pilotage district, the busiest maritime traffic zone in the country.
“By 2020, the NPA has licensed about 58 barge operators. Investment in barge operations is estimated now to be over N20bn, just as the business has given employment to over 3000 persons directly and another 2000 persons indirectly. Today, an estimate of 2000 barges operate within the Lagos pilotage district, the busiest maritime traffic zone in the country.”
The report said that at APM Terminal, a total of 44,232 containers were moved through barges from the terminal in the first quarter of 2022.
The NPA said that in January alone, 12,382 container movements were recorded while February and March reported 14, 890 and 16, 960 respectively.
“In January, a total of 12, 382 was recorded. February witnessed a total of 14,890 and March witnessed 16,960. There was a steady increase and a total of 44,232 boxes 20, 40 and 45 were moved through barges.”
The agency further said that within the period under review, it recorded a total of 29,043 movements of containerised cargo through the main gate in the terminal.
Giving a further breakdown, it said, “In January, a total of 9330 was recorded. In the month of February, a total of 8842 was witnessed and March recorded 10771 in total. There is a steady increase in the total number of containers moved, a total of 29043 boxes of 20, 40 and 45 were moved through the main gate.
“It goes to show that the port has witnessed operational efficiency, service delivery and an increase in revenue generation.
The report also said that there had been an increase in the volume of cargo moved by barges compared to trucks.
“As expected, there has been an appreciable increase in the number of containers (Laden, Empty and Delivery) moved by barges during the first quarter in 2022.”
