In a move set to reshape regional trade, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has pledged total regulatory and institutional support to ensure the success of the Sealink Project. Describing the initiative as a game-changer, the NSC highlighted its power to revolutionize Nigeria’s maritime and coastal shipping landscape.
At the Council’s Lagos headquarters on Friday, June 26, NSC Chief Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D finalized the partnership during a high-profile meeting with a NEXIM Bank delegation supported by the European Union and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Led by Mr. Hope Nyongo, the delegation announced the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ readiness to partner on upgrading and rehabilitating Burutu Port as a critical program component.
During the high-level meeting, the delegation pitched the Sealink Project, identifying the NSC as a non-negotiable partner for success. The visitors praised the Council’s aggressive drive in developing freight logistics and protecting shippers’ interests nationwide.
The transformative project—co-funded by the European Union and structurally powered by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges—is custom-built to modernize Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways, creating a seamless network for regional trade.
In response, Dr. Akutah commended the initiative but stressed the critical need to resolve key operational and regulatory hurdles to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability.
He specifically underscored the necessity of factoring dredging costs into the project’s financial framework, noting that clear, navigable channels are fundamental to viable coastal and inland shipping.
Highlighting potential bottlenecks, Dr. Akutah warned that the current fleet on the proposed routes is inadequate for the project’s ambitious goals. He urged partners to deploy high-capacity, specialized vessels to keep operations running smoothly.
On the security front, Dr. Akutah insisted on a bulletproof safety strategy. He noted that a fortified security architecture, especially within the volatile Niger Delta axis, is non-negotiable to protect vessels, crew, and high-value cargo.
To facilitate smooth implementation, Dr. Akutah disclosed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will establish a dedicated technical team to provide regulatory guidance throughout the project’s lifecycle. He further assured the delegation that a comprehensive regulatory framework will be developed and thoroughly reviewed before any concession arrangements are finalized.
Expressing strong optimism about the prospects of the Sealink Project, the Executive Secretary affirmed the NSC’s readiness to champion and support initiatives that drive trade facilitation, maritime connectivity, and rapid economic growth.
He further maintained that Nigeria is strategically positioned to emerge as a premier African trade and port hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Dr. Akutah also advocated for an explicit, effective dispute resolution mechanism to manage potential commercial and regulatory frictions during implementation, calling it essential for investor confidence and program stability.
The high-level meeting marks a pivotal step toward deep institutional collaboration, positioning the Sealink Project as a powerful catalyst for regional trade and maritime advancement across Africa.
