Overloading Of Barges Poses Serious Risk To Waterway Safety – NIWA

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has raised concerns over the growing practice of overloading barges with shipping containers, warning that the trend poses serious risks to navigation safety and other users of Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, said the unsafe loading practice is becoming increasingly common as operators seek to maximise profits per trip, but warned that it is creating dangerous conditions on the waterways.

Braimah, who was represented at an industry event in Lagos by the Assistant Manager, Marine Operations, Engr. Kelvin Abba, said improper stacking of containers on barges often obstructs visibility and increases the risk of collisions.

She explained that excessive loading not only destabilises vessels but also creates severe blind spots for tugboat captains navigating busy inland routes.

“To maximise profit per trip, operators frequently overload barges with shipping containers. When these heavy containers are stacked too high or poorly arranged, they create a massive blind spot that completely blocks the tugboat captain’s forward visibility,” she said.

According to her, the inability of operators to maintain clear sightlines makes navigation particularly hazardous.

“Operating a vessel without a clear line of sight is incredibly dangerous. It makes it nearly impossible for a captain to spot oncoming traffic, sandbanks, or smaller passenger boats in time to avoid a collision,” she added.

Braimah warned that the practice’s implications extend beyond barge operators, putting passenger boats, commercial transporters, and other users of the inland waterways at risk.

She said NIWA has intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts at loading points to ensure compliance with safety regulations, including strict adherence to approved container stacking heights and visibility requirements from the vessel’s wheelhouse.

“NIWA has been actively addressing critical safety gaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways. The most urgent concerns focus on improper barge loading, misapplied safety gear, and the severe hazards of marine litter, amongst many others,” she stated.

Beyond loading practices, she also highlighted concerns about the improper use of safety equipment and the indiscriminate dumping of waste into waterways, noting that such behaviours continue to undermine safe and sustainable inland water transport.

She urged operators and maritime workers to strictly follow safety procedures, stressing that accident prevention depends on disciplined operational practices across the sector.

“Safety on the water relies on a chain of smart choices. Securing the load properly, wearing the right vest for the task, and keeping trash out of the water ensures everyone makes it back to the jetty safely,” she said.

Braimah further described marine litter as a persistent environmental and operational challenge, calling for stronger stakeholder collaboration to address pollution across inland waterways.

She reaffirmed NIWA’s commitment to promoting safer navigation, improved operational standards, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s inland water transport system.

“NIWA remains fully committed to supporting sustainable maritime practices, enhancing safety across our waterways, and collaborating with all industry partners to build a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous maritime sector for Nigeria,” she added.