The laden container throughput at the seaports between May 2011 and May 2012 rose to 83,044 TEUs from 75,875 TEUs recorded in same period last year, indicating a 9.4 per cent increase, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has said.
Empty container throughput stood at 56,923 TEUs showing a rise of 13.5 per cent over the May 2011 figure of 50,169.
Also, vehicle traffic in the month under review stood at 23,445 units representing a growth of 0.6 per cent over the May 2011 figure of 23,305 units
The number of coastal vessels which called at Nigerian ports between May 2011 and May this year also rose to 1,918 from 1,867, representing a rise of 2.7 per cent.
The NPA in its monthly report of May 2012 said the seaports witnessed increased gross tonnage of coastal vessels as against the same period in 2011.
Statistics released showed the total gross tonnage of coastal vessels stood at 742, 511 which showed a 4.6 per cent increase over the same period of May 2011 figure of 709,755.
The Managing Director NPA, Mr. Omar Suleiman has said that with the tremendous support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the NPA has engaged in massive infrastructural development which has resulted in increased container traffic. This he said, had encouraged increased movement of coastal vessels in Nigerian waterways and made the nation's ports more user friendly.
According to him, the effort will be intensified as the authority vigorously pursues its vision to make Nigerian ports the hub of the West and Central African Region.
"The NPA has concluded arrangements to procure security boats for the Navy as part of its contribution to federal government's efforts at providing security in our channels with a view to eradicating the menace of pirate activities in our waters," Engr Suleiman said.
Source: Leadership Nigeria