*US Coast Guard Lifts Ban: Shipping Giants Say Move Will Boost Nigeria-US Trade*

*US Coast Guard Lifts Ban: Shipping Giants Say Move Will Boost Nigeria-US Trade*

 

_By Prince Benson Davies_

 

The lifting of the 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels originating from Nigerian ports has been applauded by major international shipping lines operating in Nigeria, who say the decision will boost trade between Nigeria and the United States.

 

The United States Coast Guard recently lifted the restriction placed on vessels that have visited Nigerian ports in their last five port calls and are destined for the United States, bringing to an end a regime of enhanced security checks that lasted for twelve years.

 

Reacting to the development, global shipping giants including Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Pacific International Lines and Ocean Network Express described the move as a confirmation that security in the Nigerian maritime environment has improved significantly.

 

For Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, the decision will further strengthen Nigeria’s position in global shipping trade. Its Terminal Planning Lead for West Africa, Srijesh Subramanian, said the removal is a welcome development for both importers and exporters, considering the volume of exports and the large Nigerian community in the United States.

 

Subramanian noted that shipping companies will now be bolder in their expansion plans for Nigeria, as the US action signals that the country is now seen as a safer maritime environment than previously perceived. He urged relevant authorities to sustain the gains to build more confidence.

 

Similarly, the Nigeria Director of Ocean Network Express, Mr. Stefan Pedersen, congratulated Nigeria on the feat. Although ONE currently has no direct sailings to and from the US, Pedersen said the achievement shows that the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency over the years have paid off. He expressed optimism that the removal will make direct trade with the US through Nigerian ports easier and generally improve trade for lines that operate direct US services.

 

In the same vein, the Managing Director of Pacific International Lines Nigeria, Mr. Ugo Opiah, said the lifting will positively impact Nigeria’s image as a serious maritime country. He explained that the United States is regarded as a global standard, and meeting its requirements portrays Nigeria as a high-integrity player. According to him, the development after many years shows that Nigeria has upped its game in maritime security.

 

Also speaking, the Vessel and Terminal Coordinator for Mediterranean Shipping Company, Mr. Adesina Omoparuwa, said MSC, which calls at virtually all major ports in the world including those in the US, was slightly impacted by delays caused by the restriction.

 

Omoparuwa disclosed that due to the restriction, MSC had to rely on trans-shipment arrangements and could not operate direct services to the US as it does with China. He said with the new development, there are prospects for more direct services from the US to Nigeria, creating fresh opportunities for businesses trading between both countries.

 

Industry stakeholders say the lifting of the Condition of Entry marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen maritime security, improve port competitiveness and enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime industry.