The Federal Government will establish sanctions for vessels found in violation of sulphur regulations.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that
Oyetola made this statement during the arrival ceremony of the largest container vessel, ‘CMA CGM Scandola,’ powered with liquefied natural gas at Lekki Port in Lagos.
Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, Oyetola emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the NPA’s capacity for sulphur analysis.
He highlighted the steps taken to procure the necessary tools for sulphur analysis and the implementation of a sanction regime for non-compliant vessels.
The minister underscored the importance of reducing sulphur content in ship fuels to minimize air pollution in the shipping industry. He applauded the transition to the use of natural gas, emphasizing Nigeria’s high-quality gas virtually free of sulphur.
Oyetola recognized the pivotal role of shipping in global decarbonization efforts and commended the NPA’s compliance with global energy transition in its port modernization project.
The arrival of the eco-friendly vessel, Scandola, with its distinctive features and substantial container capacity, was hailed as a significant development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, celebrated the achievement, stating that it positioned Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos, and Nigeria in the global logistics marine business.
Du Rougang, the Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, emphasized that the berthing of the vessel marked a new era for Nigeria’s ports, aiming to play a major role in the nation’s maritime industry.