Headlines

European demand for gas raises US LNG exports in 2022.

LNG vessels

Europe’s efforts to develop alternative sources of gas imports as it seeks to move away from Russia helped to drive the United States to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter during the first half of 2022.

U.S. exports of LNG increased by 12 percent despite a recent fire at one facility in Texas.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), cited data by market intelligence firm Cedigaz, reported a strong increase in U.S. LNG exports.

Among the factors contributing to the growth, analysts cited continued overall growth in demand, and in particular from Europe, which contributed to increased international LNG prices.

Since the end of last year, EU countries and Britain have increased LNG imports to compensate for lower imports from Russia and to fill historically low natural gas storage inventories.

This comes on top of strong demand as more industries have sought to move away from coal and oil as their source of energy replacing it with cleaner-burning natural gas.

As a result, overall LNG imports to the EU and UK increase by 63 percent during the first half of 2022 to an average of 14.8 Bcf/d.

Similar to 2021, the U.S. sent the most LNG to the EU and UK during the first half of the year, providing 47 percent of Europe’s total LNG imports.

Other major suppliers to Europe include Qatar at 15 percent, Russia at 14 percent, and four African countries combined at 17 percent.

The EU and UK also remained the U.S.’s largest customers for LNG.

During the first five months of 2022, 71 percent of U.S. LNG exports, or a total of 8.2 Bcf/d, were shipped to Europe.

The U.S.’s total exports, and the amount sent to Europe, however, fell in June as a result of an unplanned outage after an explosion and fire at the Freeport LNG export facility.

The facility is expected to resume partial liquefaction operations in early October 2022.

“Utilization of the peak capacity at the seven U.S. LNG export facilities averaged 87 percent during the first half of 2022, mainly before the Freeport LNG outage, which is similar to the utilization on average during 2021,” said EIA.

According to EIA, installed U.S. LNG export capacity has expanded by 1.9 Bcf/d or nearly 10 percent since November 2021.

The capacity additions include a sixth train at the Sabine Pass LNG, 18 new mid-scale liquefaction trains at the Calcasieu Pass LNG, and increased LNG production capacity at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG facilities.

As of July, EIA estimates that LNG liquefaction capacity is now averaging 11.4 Bcf/d, with a shorter-term peak capacity of 13.9 Bcf/d.

U.S. facilities however nearing their capacity limits in the near term while several investment projects look to expand capacity in the mid-term. While the temporary suspension of exports from the Freeport LNG facility has done little to impede the overall exports, the industry looks forward to its return to increase the supply before the onset of the coldest months in the U.S. and Europe.

Currently, 14 countries in Europe have LNG import facilities although the utilization of the facilities varies by region with the northern and southern parts of the European natural gas pipeline grid not fully integrated.

Several countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, and Estonia, have all announced expansions of the LNG import capacities with charters to bring FSRUs in to provide immediate capacity to support LNG imports for the upcoming winter season.

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.