The minister of marime and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says government will put in place sanctions for vessels that contravene sulphur regulations.

Mr Oyetola said this at the arrival ceremony of the largest container vessel tagged ‘CMA CGM Scandola’ powered with liquified natural gas at Lekki Port on Monday in Lagos.

Mr Oyetola, represented by the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the government would procure the needed tools to enhance the capacity of the NPA for sulphur analysis.

“To put action behind our word, we have taken concrete steps towards the procurement of the necessary tools to enhance NPA’s capacity for sulphur analysis.

“We have also put in place a sanction regime for vessels who contravene the sulphur regulations.

“This will ensure we minimise air pollution created in the shipping industry by reducing the sulphur content of the fuels that ships use.

“So, transition to the use of natural gas which is more environmentally friendly by vessels plying our waterways, is a most welcome development.

“This is driven by the larger national interest due to the fact that Nigeria’s gas quality is reputed to be high and virtually without sulphur,” he said.

According to him, shipping has a pivotal role to play in the global decarbonisation efforts.

He, however, commended the management of the NPA for its compliance with the ministerial directive to take cognizance of global energy transition in its port modernisation project.

Mr Oyetola said aside from the vessel’s distinctive feature of eco-friendliness, Scandola ranks amongst the largest container ships to be calling in West Africa with 15,000 twenty equivalent units.

He said with shipping volumes promising to get higher, forward looking investments such as the Scandola would certainly have a big impact in the long run.

“We will continue to support the NPA in its efforts at ensuring stakeholders’ compliance with the International Maritime Organisation sulphur regulation on Nigerian Waterways,” Mr Oyetola said.

Earlier, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that receiving such size of vessel called for celebration.

“I think it’s a big feat; it’s something that we need to roll out drums and get proud of; we’re putting Lekki Deep Seaport, we’re putting Lagos, we’re putting Nigeria into the world’s global logistics marine business.

“This is a business that has been a privilege to a few countries,” he said.

Also speaking, the managing director of Lekki Deep Seaport, Du Rougang, said the berthing of the vessel was creating a new plan for Nigeria’s ports.

“We want to ensure that Lekki Port plays a major role in the nation’s maritime industry,” he said.

(NAN)