Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to support port development in Nigeria.
Oyetola made this pledge during a meeting with the management of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) in Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing engagements aimed at deepening collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy agenda.
During the meeting, the minister expressed his appreciation for ICTSI’s investments in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly in the Onne Multipurpose Terminal, which according to him, has significantly improved cargo handling efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround time.
Oyetola stated that the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in the maritime industry, adding that efforts are being made to address the challenges facing port operations in the country.
The ICTSI team, led by Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of ICTSI Nigeria, included Mr. Hans Ole Madsen, Vice President; Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, Managing Director of Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT); and Mr. Chidi Nzerem, Director.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the current operational developments at OMT and explored strategies for its future expansion and efficiency enhancement in line with the Federal Government’s vision for a vibrant and sustainable blue economy.
Oyetola commended ICTSI for its investments and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime growth, emphasizing the Ministry’s readiness to sustain a business-friendly environment that encourages private sector participation and innovation across the sector.
Since commencing operations in 2021, ICTSI’s Onne Multipurpose Terminal has played a transformative role in boosting cargo throughput and reducing vessel turnaround time at the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State.
The terminal, designed to handle a diverse range of cargo — including containers, break bulk, project and heavy-lift, and roll-on/roll-off cargo — features a 1,000-metre heavy-lift quay, 45 hectares of yard area, modern warehousing, and four new Gottwald mobile harbour cranes, among other state-of-the-art equipment.
In June 2025, OMT made history when it received the Kota Oasis, a Singaporean-flagged, LNG-powered container ship — the first of its kind to berth in West Africa. The vessel’s arrival, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), marked a milestone in the region’s shift toward environmentally sustainable shipping and underscored OMT’s commitment to green port operations.
Daily Trust
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