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16 hours ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
Sunday Ehigiator
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has highlighted outdated port infrastructure as a major obstacle to efficient maritime operations in West and Central Africa.
Speaking at a dinner for port managers from the region in Lagos, Dantsoho noted that many ports were built decades ago and no longer meet the demands of modern shipping.
He cited Nigeria’s key ports—Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port, and Port Harcourt Port—as examples that have aged significantly and require urgent modernization to align with global standards.
“The main challenge we need to be serious about is outdated infrastructure. It is a general problem in the region and sub-region,” he said.
“Apapa Port has been there for over 100 years, Tin Can Island for more than 50 years, and Port Harcourt Port for about 100 years. They are old infrastructures and no longer fit for current realities.”
Dantsoho explained that global shipping has evolved rapidly, with modern vessels now far larger than those for which many African ports were originally designed.
Using an analogy with home technology, he said infrastructure must also evolve to stay relevant.
“Fifty years ago, homes were different from what they are today. Now you have flat‑screen televisions, DSTV, Netflix and other modern systems. Ports also need infrastructure that can accommodate modern systems,” he added.
He pointed out that ports once built for vessels around 100 metres long now need to handle ships between 300 and 400 metres, requiring deeper channels, larger terminals and improved cargo‑handling facilities.
“When you receive smaller vessels, you receive smaller cargo volumes. But when you receive bigger vessels, you receive larger volumes of containers. That is a key factor in port business today,” he said.
Dantsoho stressed the need for sustained investment and regional collaboration to modernize port infrastructure and boost competitiveness across African ports.
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