A Communiqué issued after the NPCC Onshore/Offshore Port Operations and Management Training Programme, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 27 and 28 February 2026

Introduction

Participants drawn from the seaport sub-sector workforce, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, stevedoring services providers, and from the shipping sub-sector, converged at the Landmark Hotels in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for a training programme developed by the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC).

The training programme handled by a sound Faculty of professionals with hands-on experience in the marine and blue economy, had carefully-selected topics covering technical knowledge and requisite skills for seaport operations; including onshore and offshore.

After a warm welcome by the NPCC management including the Chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sumola, the Vice-Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, the programme was moderated by Barrister Gloria Kanabel, who has had a stint as a maritime lawyer with Maersk Shipping.

The Key Highlights

The seven papers presented in the two-day programme included;

*Logistics and Physical Distribution Management

*Port Facilities and Layouts, Warehousing and Container Yards, Inland Transport link (Road, Railways), Cargo Handling Equipment and Tools; Offshore Loading Infrastructure (SPMs, SBM, CBM); Onshore Support Bases (Onne, LADOL, etc.).

*Port Community System (PCS), Offshore Supply Chain Logistics (Safe Crew Transfer, Bunkering, Supply Boats).

*ICT: Digitisation, Greenport and Smart Port Technologies, Port Management Information System (PMIS), Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Port Information Management.

*The Role of Innovative Technology in Port Management and Operations; use of Drones and Artificial Intelligence in Onshore-Offshore Coordination, Ballast Water Management, Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and Port Community System.

*Integration of Shore Base Facilities with Offshore Needs

*General Mental Health Wellness: Addressing the Issues of Insomnia, Fatigue and Burnout.

Points raised from the papers

Skills gap exists between current workforce competencies and the demands of emerging technologies.

The need for promoting digital and remote learning, public-private partnerships, and sustainable funding for training.

The Greenport concept is the choice to follow for the present and the future. It will help to lower carbon emissions, reduce waste, and protect marine environment ecosystems

Importance of learning along the lines of contemporary operational needs including security ;physical security, cargo protection, cyber security, risk management and compliance,  and information security.

Considering the substantial contributions of  offshore /deep seaport to the nation’s oil production for economic growth,  local manpower  managing these operations must continually be reviewed for capacity to handling issues of environmental concerns, security (e.g., piracy, vandalism), and ensuring local content development through trainings.

Recommendations

There is need for technology adoption to be supported by good governance, training, research, development and policy alignment, because smart ports are defined by intelligence and integration, not by automation alone.

Strategic investment will include enhanced safety, reduced human error, future-ready jobs, improved regulatory compliance, and competitiveness of Nigerian ports. Its aim is to integrate all activities within the network to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maximize customer value.

Since the traditional roles of port authorities have shifted towards a ‘coordinator, facilitator and integrator role in port clusters, international transport, logistics and supply chain, a structural architecture is needed to embed periodic stakeholder engagement to meet present demands as viewed through a global lens.

Industry Players: Offer apprenticeships including seatime for seafarers, sponsor training programmes, and collaborate on digital transformation.

Conclusion

Our port operating system needs to embrace high investment, implementation of Internet of things for cargo tracking, boosting manpower capacity through periodic trainings as well as adoption of solar-powered seaport terminals.

It is very necessary to adopt the community Scorecard System to review performance and appreciate commendable performances.

Balancing people, process, intelligence and technology is critical for any organisation’s supply chain planning & execution, particularly in sea port operations.

Considerations can be given for the NPCC to run an Academy for manpower training for the sea port workforce.

Rapporteur

Dr Hope Orivri, PhD., EMPH

Chairperson, Media and Publicity Committee, NPCC