Nigeria: Ship owners' association seeks national carrier status
The Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA) urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to approve its age-long application for a national carrier status.
The President of the association, Capt. Niyi Labinjo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Labinjo explained that the association made the request for a license to float a mega shipping firm since 2011 but NIMASA had yet to give
approval till date.
He expressed regret that past minsters of transportation were unable to ensure that NIMASA approve the application.
According to him, Section 35 of the NIMASA Act 2007 said, "Any national shipping line in Nigeria that meets the conditions should be granted national carrier status."
He said the national carrier status would fetch a lot of jobs for unemployed trained seafarers.
"Foreign vessels are depriving Nigerians of employment and if the national carrier status is approved, it would stop capital fight and create a balance in maritime trade.
"By virtue of being a national carrier, is enough qualification to carry 50 per cent of government-generated cargoes.
"This comprised cargoes generated by Federal, states and local governments.
"This is different from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 40:40:20 cargo allocation formula which came up due to agitation and the desire to correct the imbalance in cargo sharing," the mariner said.
Labinjo said the UNCTAD formula had been abolished.
He said the current trend "is the World Trade Agreement (WTA) which is based on bilateral agreement between countries."
The mariner advised government to henceforth, go with stakeholders whenever issues of international maritime trade were to be discussed outside the country.
"It is important to go with stakeholders in shipping and aviation sectors whenever issues concerning sea trade are to be discussed,"
Labinjo told newsmen
He said the delegation should largely consist of stakeholders like members of NISA and Aviation Round Table and less of ministers, governors and directors of maritime agencies who are technocrats.
Source: The Nigerian ObserverPosted On:7-Jan-2016
Credits: www.hellenicshippingnews.com |
Slashing Capacity the Only Way to Go for Shipping
The shipping industry is to remain volatile and indispensable in 2016, international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens says.
According to Moore Stephens shipping partner Richard Greiner, the dry bulk sector will probably have to reduce the newbuilding orderbook and increase ship recycling in 2016 in order to restore the balance, instead of blaming China’s insufficient demand for the new lows of the Baltic Dry Index.
"The same is true of the container ship sector, where reducing capacity is seen as the best way to drive up rates. CMA CGM's move to buy NOL, meanwhile, although subject to regulatory approval, is an indication of further consolidation. It would be no surprise to see more still in 2016," he said.
"By comparison, the tanker markets enjoyed a stronger year in 2015, not least because of falling oil prices. In contrast, this has presented major challenges in the offshore maritime space. Some experts are predicting a slide to USD 20 a barrel in 2016, which may be just as well since a recent decision of the English High Court left a shipowner claiming that it had been asked to pay twice for the same fuel from bankrupt OW Bunkers. In 2016, owners will be monitoring a possible appeal against this decision to the Supreme Court, while keeping an eye on disputes elsewhere."
Greiner believes that shipping will remain volatile and uncertain throughout 2016, as operating costs and the cost of regulation go up.
"The threat from cyber security will rise. Interest in refinancing, as a means of getting cash out of the business, is likely to increase, as are calls for accelerated ship recycling and a cap on newbuildings. The effect of geopolitical developments should not be under-estimated, while speculation about the UK's planned Brexit referendum in 2017 will add spice to the pot.
"Now is nevertheless a good time to invest if you have access to finance and a credible business plan, preferably one with the badge of green approval. It is no coincidence that IMO recently endorsed a proposal to adopt 'Shipping: Indispensable to the World' as the theme for World Maritime Day 2016," Greiner concludes.Posted On:7-Jan-2016
Credits: worldmaritimenews.com |
