Utilization of Cargo Handling Facilities in Nigerian Seaports

D.E Onwuegbuchunam,Kenneth Okechukwu Okeke,Azuwueze Chikadibia Nwosu,Moses Olatunde Aponjolosun,Chinemerem Igboanusi

doi:10.4236/ojsst.2021.114010

Abstract

Cargo handling operations are critical to port efficiency. Optimal utilization of cargo handling capacity is a challenge facing most ports in Nigeria and this has had an adverse effect on port operation (i.e. ship and cargo operation). This paper assessed the extent of utilization of cargo handling facilities and infrastructure performance in Nigerian ports. It applied indicators of port facility service and utilization to examine usage of facilities & infrastructure as well as significant constraining factors in six ports namely: Apapa, Tincan, Rivers, Onne, Delta and Calabar ports. The secondary data for the study comprised cargo and vessel throughputs handled in the ports, number of facilities & infrastructure and berth performance measures for the period between years 2006 and 2017. These were augmented with primary data on factors affecting port facility utilization obtained through copies questionnaires administered to a random sample of port users. Our Empirical findings using statistical models showed that on the average, vessels that called for service in the ports spent one and half day before being allocated to berths; spent four days (4) at berth and a total of six (6) days at the port before sailing outwards. In terms of berth utilization for all ports, we found that ship berths were on average, fourty-eight percent (48%) occupied during the study period. When disaggregated by respective ports, berth vacancy rates were higher in Delta ports and Calabar ports in comparison to others; while Apapa, Rivers and Tincan ports had comparatively higher berth occupancy rates. According to the respondents, significant impeding factors to facility utilization and performance were: obsolete plant & equipment, inadequate number of cargo handling equipment, delays in cargo handling procedures and low investments in cargo handling facilities by the terminal operators. Policy implications of the findings were discussed.

Highlights

The prospects for seaborne trade are positive as expected compound annual growth rate between years 2018 and 2023 is put at 3.8% [1]
Cargo handling operations are critical to port efficiency
Anagor [8] notes that the investments in cargo handling equipment by the private terminal operators in Nigerian ports have resulted in improved cargo throughputs and vessel traffic

Summary

Introduction

The prospects for seaborne trade are positive as expected compound annual growth rate between years 2018 and 2023 is put at 3.8% [1]. On the other hand speed in cargo handling and distribution impact on port efficiency and productivity. In terms of services offered to vessels at the ports, Hart [4] posits that vessel’s turnround time is highly influenced by cargo handling performance. Ports with modern berths and cargo handling equipment systems have the capacity to offer competitive international transport distribution services since they attract modern tonnage [5]. The overall cost of transportation from one port to another is influenced by speed with which cargo is handled. There have been some major investments in cargo handling equipment in the ports by private terminal operators. Anagor [8] notes that the investments in cargo handling equipment by the private terminal operators in Nigerian ports have resulted in improved cargo throughputs and vessel traffic

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion