“Indians, Lebanese Control 95% of Nigeria’s Shipping Industry” – Stakeholder

A major operator in Nigeria’s shipping in­dustry has said that Lebanese and Indians now in control of over 95 per cent of the coastal and inland shipping business in the country.

This unfortunate trend remains even after 12 years following the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage Act 2003 de­signed to enhance indigenous participation in shipping activ­ities,

The Cabotage Act, which pro­motes a protectionist policy, pro­vides that the vessels to be deployed for coastal and inland shipping in the country must be build in Nige­ria, owned by Nigerians, crewed by Nigerians and registered in Nige­ria.

Chairman, Genesis Worldwide Shipping Limited, one of the few surviving indigenous shipping companies, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, stated that the objec­tives of the Cabotage policy in the country was yet to be achieved, as foreigners still control coastal and inland shipping business in the country.

He said due to the mis­application of the waiver clause, which has subjected it to flagrant abuse, Nigerian operators have been completely forced out of the business, which has almost become an exclusive preserve for foreign­ers, especially Lebanese and Indi­ans.