NPA positioning Nigeria for SDG-7 on marine transportation

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Fred Ojiegbe

Nigeria will not be left behind in the global trend to migrate energy options for the transportation industry from high emission fuel oils to cleaner and more sustainable gas and greener alternatives.

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman, whose presentation was delivered at the 2021 Multilogue series of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) declared that the reforms in the maritime sector are driven with the consciousness of prevailing energy transition and clean energy agenda for shipping vessels.

She cited the SDG-7 which, according to her, placed gas in the lead of providing best and affordable energy for the maritime sector.

Mrs Usman stated that the NPA is being reformed and nurtured for seamless seagoing gas trade, adding that the plant expansion programme of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited would guarantee the sustainable presence of the Nigerian flag in the international energy market.

She stated that port expansion in the country was ongoing with two deep sea ports in Lekki and Badagry, Lagos State, to enable larger vessels berth with ease.

She said that the ports authorities have already issues directives on the use gas for seagoing vessels in line with the ISO 2020 which emphasizes low sulfur in marine fuels, adding that use of gas would enable Nigeria meet sulfur level requirement in marine fuel.

According to her, the implementation of the directive would entail penal measures against high sulfur fuels in Nigerian marine operations.

Mrs Usman reiterated the need for use of gas in making sea transportation more environmentally friendly, saying that NPA was working on feasibility of moving Nigerian gas to market with gas fueled vessels.

She told conference delegates that bottlenecks that hamper speedy clearance of goods are being addressed through e-call up systems, containers barging and rail evacuation processes all aimed at ports decongestion.