A port terminal in Lagos

BY FRANCIS EZEM

All is set for the11th edition of the Nigerian International Maritime, Port and Terminal Conference and Exhibition (NIMPORT 2018), which holds from August 28 to 30, 2018 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, barring any last minute change in the scheme of things.

NIMPORT is an annual event organised by an international development consulting firm with the collaboration and support of the Nigerian Maritime Port and Terminal (NIMPORT) Business Promotion Committee members and strategic partners which include, The Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration Agency.

Others include the Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, INTELS, the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base LADOL, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority NEPZA, and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council NEPC.

According to a statement by the CEO of FCI International Ltd and convener of the event, the theme of the 2018 conference and exhibition is: “Attracting Investments to Support Ports, Terminals and Logistics Growth”, which is designed to give direction to investments into the industry and also indicate areas of growth needs

“With over eleven years of existence, NIMPORT has continued to create a multi- sector platform that bridges the divide in integrated industry development and connecting all sub-sectors that form delivery chain of seamless logistics solution for the manufacturers, the shippers and the consumer.

“NIMPORT represents an industry cluster that drives over 85 per cent of global trade by volumes and Africa’s over 90 per cent connecting the sea to hinterland. Through this annual event that has become the hallmark for information sharing between governments and the private sector, the industry has continued to receive critical review and developmental challenges addressed and closing industry gaps”, Mr Idu said.

It was further gathered that the 2018 edition of NIMPORT will present yet another opportunity to reassess the industry, with paper presentations from distinguished guests unveiling opportunities inherent in this all important industry. It also promises to provide an opportunity for all interest groups to air their opinions and delegates to listen to leaders whose activities and operations have direct influence on international trade, logistics and supply chain management.

Idu, who doubles as chairman of the organising committee, also said that the event was designed to bring together all maritime industry leaders to network and discuss on pressing issues relating to global maritime trade, port and logistics development and the industry role in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and improvement in non-oil exports.

Investigations show that the event will attract over 250 delegates starting with workshop session on the 28th and boat tour followed by intensive conference and expo sessions from August 29- 30, 2018.  The deliberations of the conference and final communique and report of the event will be submitted to the Minister of Transportation for policy planning.

According to Mr Idu, NIMPORT 2018 will feature varied social and commercial papers from key industry leaders covering technical industrial subjects that support government directive on the ease of doing business and the need to open up the maritime and logistics industry for greater inclusion both for foreign and local investors.

Conference papers to be presented will include: ‘Improving Trade flow’, ‘Oil and Gas Logistics’, ‘Total logistics connectivity’, ‘Investment and Financing’, ‘Security in Maritime Corridors’, ‘Development of industrial terminals, logistics hubs and Free Trade Zones’, ‘Improving export cargo traffic’, ‘Enabling ‘Nigerian made goods to find regional and international markets’  and ‘Removing trade blockages’, among others.

Participants are drawn from NPA, NIWA, NIMASA, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Shippers Council, Nigerian Navy, Customs, NEPZA and the Lagos State Government as well as private sector operators including Havi, CARES,  DSL, Industrial General Insurance, INTELS, SIFAX Group  Inland  Container Terminal Ltd,  SIFAX and Josepdam, among others.