Along with the trade in vehicles, up 8.9% to 291,824 units, and refined petroleum products, which rose 9.5% to 19.4M tonnes, these were the star performers in what was otherwise a disappointing year. Indeed, total tonnage of 76.88M tonnes, excluding crude oil shipments, handled at Nigeria’s ports last year was practically the same as in 2012 (76.86M tonnes).

Bulk shipments experienced a very difficult time in 2013 with volumes handled down 6.5% on the previous 12 months to 9.5M tonnes. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) attributes this to a ban on imported cement, which is still in place, and an increase in tariffs on imported rice.

Overall, the year reflected ongoing unitisation of Nigeria’s main tradelanes and ocean carriers’ decisions to phase in larger and more efficient containerships. As a consequence the amount of breakbulk cargo handled declined, falling from 12.7M tonnes in 2012 to 12M tonnes last year.

This process is expected to accelerate, particularly given the upgrade and modernisation work taking place at terminals in Lagos-Apapa and the massive, new port projects planned in the country. These includes the ICTSI-fronted operation at the planned 2.5M TEU capacity Lekki international Container Terminal in which CMA Terminals purchased a 25% shareholding earlier this year.

Meanwhile, APM Terminals has its own large scale port plan to help alleviate congestion in the Lagos region. This is centred on Badagry and still awaits national and provincial authority approvals.

While the Government and the NPA are committed to the private approach when it comes to investing in and operating cargo handling facilities in the nation, NPA managing director, Malam Habib Abdullahi, recently called for a review of the current concession process. He sees that after five years in operation, there is a need to “mutually and constructively come out with suggestions and practical solutions that will improve the system”.

The executive’s decision followed meetings held in Lagos earlier this month between the NPA and the Senate Committee on Privatisation. The latter organisation’s chairman, Gbenga Obadara, had visited Lagos to see for himself how the privatisation of facilities in the Lagos-Apapa complex had fared, but seemed to express certain reservations about the process and particularly the amount of money flowing into Government coffers.

He said: “Our committee is concerned about the benefits and challenges of the privatisation exercise and we need effective collaboration among all stakeholders for the generation of appropriate revenue to the Federal Government.”

Such moves might cause some concern among those operators that have invested heavily and secured operating concessions in Nigeria’s ports. These companies include APMT, Bolloré Africa Logistics, Grimaldi and China Merchants Holdings (International).