Headlines
Ships set to switch from diesel generators to electricity at UK ports
The UK Government has outlined plans to stop ships from running their engines or using diesel generators while berthed, replacing this practice with new infrastructure that will connect them to onshore electricity.
During an event at the UK Chamber of Shipping on Monday evening (7 February), Maritime Minister Robert Courts announced a call for evidence on the shift to so-called shore power for vessels needing to power lighting, air conditioning and other processes while they are berthed.
This transition should reduce carbon emissions as well as local noise and air pollution.
The consultation will run until Friday 25 April. The Department for Transport (Dft) is seeking information on the likely emissions reductions that will result from a shift to shore power, as well as data on likely costs and the practicalities of rolling out this infrastructure. With regards to these topics, Courts has admitted that there are currently “gaps in understanding” in the DfT.
While acknowledging the costs, the Government has emphasized that the transition to shore power would create jobs and unlock private investment in coastal regions.
“Shore power has the potential to play a positive part in the future of zero-emission maritime, although it is an area that currently faces some significant challenges,” said the UK Major Ports Group’s chief executive Tim Morris.
“The call for evidence is, therefore, an important step in finding the right, viable ways that industry, government and networks can work together to support the wider deployment of shore power where it is an appropriate solution.”
Last March, the DfT launched the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition – an initiative aiming to find and fund innovations in the field of zero-emission maritime vessels. Successful applicants were announced last September and collectively allocated £23m from the Government and the private sector. They included hydrogen-fuelled ferries, automation systems for efficiency, ammonia for fuel and shore power trials.
Then, as part of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, the UK Government pledged to develop emissions targets for the maritime sector beginning in 2030 and to set a net-zero deadline “as early as is feasible”. These targets could come in the Clean Maritime Plan, expected later this year. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has been pushing for an “absolute zero” target for the sector, to ensure it is decarbonising in a science-based fashion, without over-reliance on offsetting.
Also last year, the UK was one of more than a dozen nations signing a new declaration on the creation of zero-emission shipping routes between ports at COP26. The so-called ‘Clydebank Declaration’ is aiming to establish at least six corridors by the mid-2020s, which are likely to be shorter routes, and to add “many more routes”, including long-haul routes, by 2030.
In related news, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) has this week published a new report outlining pathways to the delivery of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) long-term target to halve greenhouse gas emissions from the sector by 2050, against a 2008 baseline.
Produced by consultancy Ricardo, the report outlines three technology pathways for delivering this emissions reduction. The first involves at-scale and early-stage uptake of green hydrogen and sustainable ammonia as fuels; the second replaces fossil fuels with biofuels and the third sees ships maximising energy efficiency and using onboard carbon capture to deal with residual emissions.
While the second pathway would not require engine replacements, the study ultimately concludes that it would be the most expensive.
“Unlocking zero-carbon fuel pathways will avoid higher-emission pathways becoming locked in,” said Ricardo’s associate director Tim Scarbrough. “At the same time, the deployment of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures is also vital in the short-term to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels prior to that transition.”
Scarbrough added: “A tightening of the IMO’s decarbonisation targets would help underline the need for these near-term choices.”
The IMO is due to revise its long-term strategy including its emissions targets for the sector in 2023. At the IMO’s meeting in November 2021, members voted in favour of amending measures designed to limit the carbon intensity of ships. While proponents say the measures will make each ship more efficient, the general consensus is that the rule will leave loopholes for the sector as a whole to increase emissions through 2030.
Analyses
The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground
Headlines
NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership
Gloria Odion, Reporter
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.
The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.
He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.
“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.
“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.
“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”
As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.
The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.
The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.
Customs
Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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