NSC BACKS SEALINK PROJECT, PROMISES REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO DRIVE COASTAL TRADE GROWTH

NSC BACKS SEALINK PROJECT, PROMISES REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO DRIVE COASTAL TRADE GROWTH
By prince Benson Davies
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has pledged full regulatory backing for the Sealink Project, positioning the initiative as a major step toward unlocking Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterway trade potential. The Council said it will provide technical guidance and institutional support to ensure the project is structured for long-term sustainability and commercial viability.

The commitment was given by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, when a joint delegation from the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, the European Union, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges visited the Council’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. The meeting was led by Mr. Hope Nyongo of NEXIM Bank, who formally briefed the Council on the scope and objectives of the Sealink initiative.

According to the delegation, Sealink is a co-funded project with support from the European Union and technical partnership from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. It is designed to improve Nigeria’s coastal and inland shipping systems and to strengthen regional trade links across West and Central Africa. A key component of the programme is the planned rehabilitation and modernization of Burutu Port, with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges indicating readiness to collaborate on that phase.

Receiving the team, Dr. Akutah welcomed the project and said the NSC sees it as a strategic intervention that can reshape freight movement within Nigeria. He however noted that several operational and regulatory fundamentals must be addressed to protect the project from avoidable risks.

The NSC boss highlighted the need to build dredging into the project’s financial plan. He said safe and well-maintained navigation channels are non-negotiable for coastal and inland shipping, and that funding provisions for continuous dredging will determine the reliability of the corridors.

Dr. Akutah also raised concerns about vessel capacity on the proposed routes. He observed that the existing fleet may not be adequate for the volume and service standards envisaged under Sealink, and called for the deployment of purpose-built vessels that match the trade corridors’ requirements.

On security, the NSC Chief Executive emphasized that a credible maritime security plan must be in place, with particular attention to the Niger Delta area. He said protecting vessels, cargo, and crew is essential to investor confidence and to the uninterrupted movement of goods along the waterways.

To institutionalize support, Dr. Akutah disclosed that the Council will constitute a dedicated technical team to work with project partners throughout the implementation cycle. He added that the NSC will develop and review a regulatory framework before any concession or commercial agreement is finalized, to ensure alignment with national shipping policy and the interests of Nigerian shippers.

The Executive Secretary expressed confidence that Sealink can contribute to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading trade and logistics hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area. He said the Council is prepared to align with initiatives that improve trade facilitation, expand maritime connectivity, and create economic opportunities across the blue economy.

The delegation thanked the NSC for its early engagement and noted the Council’s role as a critical stakeholder in freight logistics and shipper protection. Both parties agreed to maintain close coordination as the project moves to the next implementation phase.

Caption:
From left: Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, receiving the leader of the NEXIM Bank delegation, Mr. Hope Nyongo, at the Council’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos recently.