NPA adopts single billing system for ships

The Nigerian Ports Authority has adopted a single billing system for some categories of ships visiting the nation‘s ports in order to make the ports competitive.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mr. Abdul Salam Mohammed, said at a meeting with members of the Shipping Association of Nigeria in Lagos, that the objective of the new billing system was to encourage patronage and improve efficiency in shipping operations.

He said the organisation would consult with all stakeholders before issuing a new policy guideline on the matter, adding that the new system would help reduce delays in ship berthing and improve the overall performance of the ports.

Mohammed said that NPA would soon acquire additional mooring and tug boats, as well as pilot cutters with a view to improving the turnaround time of vessels visiting the nation‘s ports, adding that it was also taking measures to ensure that experienced pilots were available in the system through a well designed career progression from the pilot grade level four to one and through continuous professional development programmes.

According to him, NPA has sponsored a number of trainee pilots to the continuous simulation training programme at the Fleetwood National College, London, United Kingdom, as well as other periodic auxiliary courses to meet the pilotage board requirements, adding that the positive impact of the steps would be felt by early next year.punchng