The Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Ibadan, Oyo State would become operational by May 2011. The President of the South-West Shippers’ Association in the state, Dr Ayo Omotosho, has disclosed.

Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has sent another set of youths to Arnet University in India for seafarers training programme. The cadets were jointly sponsored by the NIMASA, Niger and Kaduna state governments. While Kaduna State sponsored 31, Niger State has 25.

• Tasks operators on corporate social responsibility

Nigeria’s First lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the new built vessel, Jascon 34, would boost the Federal Government’s efforts at developing the gas sub-sector and accelerate activities to stop gas flaring by 2015.

There is flood of petitions at the Presidency over the appointment of managing agent on behalf of the Nigerian Ports Authority for oil industry related activities in designated pilotage districts. Contract valued at $720million is said to have been awarded secretly without due process. BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports.

No fewer than 22 large container vessels designed with lower draft will patronise the AP Moller Terminal at the Lagos Port Complex as from March, 2911.The management of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, led by its Group Chief Executive officer, Mr. Nils Andersen told President Goodluck Jonathan during a visit to the State House in Abuja few days ago.

Some companies in the Calabar Free Zone have became moribund in the past few years due to non-completion of dredging of the port channel and dilapidated roads.

Transport Minister, Yusuf Suleiman has declared the Nigerian ports environment as unconducive for the users.

The Manager, Calabar Free Port, Mr Ahmed Dandare has advised the Federal Government to restructure the ports in the coutry along specialised imports.

Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited has said that its fixed scanner operations would commence in the first half of next year.

Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL) has accused the Federal Government of reneging on the terms of contract it entered with the service providers.

No fewer than 150 companies now operate at the oil and gas free zone, Onne Port concessioned to Intel Nigeria Limited by the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Nigeria Customs Service has established a human resource department to oversee policy on human resource management with a view to developing a new crop of officers and men with integrity.

•As Apapa command blames importers for dishonesty

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has been directed to produce reports and analysis of all cargoes at the nation’s seaports in the last three months.

• Plans ports facilities’ tour

Vice President Namadi Sambo has threatened to sack terminal operators who have failed to live up Federal Government’s expectation.

• US govt provides $1m grant to solve power problem

LADOL Free Trade Zone, the first deep offshore logistics firm, has said that its facility would provide over10,000 jobs for Nigerians who would be trained in the country and abroad.

Seafarers and dock workers from Nigeria and their counterparts around the world have rolled out new model wage scale for non-domiciled seafarers serving on national flag vessels at a conference in Mexico.

The United States has recorded a trade deficit of $2.3billion with Nigeria in the first half of the year.

There is strong indication that Nigeria which has 25 per cent of its consumers price index (CPI) basket in bread and cereals may import more wheat between July2010 and June 2011.

Transport Minister, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, has urged officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Federal Ministry of Transport as well as other agencies in the ministry to avoid wasting public funds especially with respect to procurements of goods and services.

Port concessionaires, government officials, shipping companies, members of the National Assembly (NASS)and freight forwarders will converged in Calabar next week to address the Calabar channel dredging.