Minister, Global Body Partner On Positioning Nigeria As Maritime Hub

The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) Inc. to position the country as a leading maritime hub in Africa.

Oyetola said the partnership with ICTSI is rooted in the company’s significant investments and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime development and the need to sustain a business-friendly environment that fosters private sector participation and innovation across the industry.

The minister committed this when a high-level delegation from ICTSI paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the Federal Government and private investors in advancing Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy agenda.

The ICTSI delegation, led by Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of ICTSI Nigeria, included Hans Ole Madsen, vice president of ICTSI; Nicolo Scannavini, managing director of Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT); and Chidi Nzerem, a company director.

Discussions during the meeting focused on current operations at OMT. They explored strategies for future expansion, operational efficiency, and alignment with the Federal Government’s vision for a dynamic and sustainable blue economy.

Oyetola commended ICTSI for its investments and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime growth, emphasising the Ministry’s readiness to sustain a business-friendly environment that encourages private sector participation and innovation.

“Our goal is to make Nigeria’s ports globally competitive by ensuring efficiency, transparency, and sustainability,” the minister said.

Oyetola added that his office “ will continue to work with credible private investors like ICTSI to unlock the immense potential of our blue economy and position Nigeria as a major maritime hub in Africa.”

Since commencing operations in 2021, ICTSI’s Onne Multipurpose Terminal has transformed the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State by boosting cargo throughput and reducing vessel turnaround time.

The terminal, designed to handle a diverse range of cargo — including containers, break bulk, project and heavy-lift, and roll-on/roll-off cargo — features a 1,000-metre heavy-lift quay, 45 hectares of yard area, modern warehousing, and four new Gottwald mobile harbour cranes, among other state-of-the-art equipment.

In June 2025, OMT made history when it received the Kota Oasis, a Singapore-flagged, LNG-powered container ship — the first of its kind to berth in West Africa.

The vessel’s arrival, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), marked a milestone in the region’s shift toward environmentally sustainable shipping and underscored OMT’s commitment to green port operations.

Beyond its operational achievements, OMT has demonstrated strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) leadership in its host communities, particularly in Ogu and the surrounding areas.

The company has executed several community-focused initiatives, including a Safe Water Scheme, youth empowerment programmes, and vocational training projects, which aim to promote local development and social inclusion.

As one of Nigeria’s key logistics and cargo-handling hubs, Onne Multipurpose Terminal continues strengthening its position as a vital gateway for maritime trade and logistics in West Africa.

Through strategic partnerships, technological advancement, and community engagement, OMT remains a driving force in supporting Nigeria’s maritime economy and fostering sustainable growth.