Maresk, PIL, other Shipping Lines Commend US Lifting of Entry Restrictions on Nigeria
Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies has welcomed the US Coast Guard’s (USCG) decision to lift the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels from Nigerian ports.
The company’s Terminal Planning Lead, West Africa, Srijesh Subramanian, described the development as “a welcome move”, saying it would benefit both importers and exporters.
“This is a welcome move which will enable better trade both for the importers as well as the exporters because we have quite a lot of exports going on, lots of Nigerians in the US.
“Shipping companies will be a little bolder in their expansion plans for the future. With the US removal of the Condition of Entry (COE), it is saying that Nigeria looks more like a safer environment than previously perceived,” he said.
Subramanian said the lifting of the restriction reflected improved international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime security, urging the relevant authorities to sustain the gains.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) also welcomed the development, saying it would positively affect Nigeria’s image as a serious maritime country.
The Managing Director of PIL, Ugo Opiah, said the US decision had a significant reputational implication for Nigeria.
“I think it’s a very good one in terms of the image. Of course, the US is categorized as one of, let’s say, the big brother of the world, and most times if you do qualify for things that concern the US, then you are seen as a high-integrity player.
“So for Nigeria, with this being lifted after the number of years that it had been on us, it does give a good sign that we have upped our game in terms of anything to do with security in the maritime industry,” he said.
On its part, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), said the lifting of the restriction could have a more direct operational impact because of its extensive global network and services connecting major ports, including those in the United States.
Adesina Omoparuwa, the Vessel and Terminal Coordinator for MSC, said the restriction had previously necessitated trans-shipment arrangements for some cargo moving between Nigeria and the US.
“Because of this restriction, we have to do some trans-shipments. We do not have direct services to the US like we have now in China.
“Basically, China’s service that we have now, we didn’t have them before. We have to go through trans-shipment ports, but now with this development, it will give us more direct service from the US and opportunities for people that are doing business from the US to come directly down to Nigeria,” Omoparuwa said.
Also reacting to the lifting, Nigeria Director of Ocean Network Express (ONE), Stefan Pedersen, congratulated Nigeria on the development, noting, however, that the company currently has no direct services between Nigeria and the United States.
According to him, while ONE was not directly affected by the restriction because it does not currently operate direct US services, its removal could make direct trade between Nigeria and the United States easier.
“At the moment ONE does not have any direct sailings to and from the US, so we are not really impacted by this. I’m certain that it would make direct trade with the US through the ports easier.
“When restrictions go away, it usually improves trade, so for our colleagues in the industry that have direct sailings to the US, it’s going to make it easier for them,” he said.
The shipping lines said the removal of the restriction could improve Nigeria’s image in the international shipping community, facilitate more direct maritime connections with the United States and create fresh opportunities for importers, exporters and shipping operators.
The USCG had imposed the enhanced security regime on vessels that had called at Nigerian ports and were subsequently destined for the United States.
Its removal, according to industry operators, signals growing confidence in the security of Nigeria’s maritime environment after 12 years of additional security requirements.
