ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed his commitment to deepening collaboration with the International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) Inc. and attracting other credible private investors to harness Nigeria’s vast blue economy potential and establish the nation as a premier maritime hub in Africa.
Oyetola said the partnership with ICTSI is anchored on the company’s substantial investments and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector, alongside the government’s goal of sustaining a business-friendly environment that promotes innovation and private sector participation.
The Minister made this assurance when a delegation from ICTSI paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
READ MORE:Oyetola Inaugurates 11-Member NPA Board
The visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government and private stakeholders in driving Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy agenda.
The ICTSI team was led by Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of ICTSI Nigeria, and included Hans Ole Madsen, Vice President of ICTSI; Nicolo Scannavini, Managing Director of Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT); and Chidi Nzerem, a Director of the company.
Discussions centred on ICTSI’s current operations at OMT and explored strategies for expansion, improved efficiency, and alignment with the Federal Government’s long-term vision for a dynamic and sustainable blue economy.
Oyetola praised ICTSI for its investments and sustained contribution to Nigeria’s maritime growth, reaffirming the Ministry’s readiness to create and maintain a supportive business climate that encourages innovation and private investment.
“Our goal is to make Nigeria’s ports globally competitive by ensuring efficiency, transparency, and sustainability,” the Minister said. He further added that his office “will continue to work with credible private investors like ICTSI to unlock the immense potential of our blue economy and position Nigeria as a major maritime hub in Africa.”
Since beginning operations in 2021, ICTSI’s Onne Multipurpose Terminal has significantly boosted cargo throughput and reduced vessel turnaround time at the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State.
The terminal handles a wide variety of cargo including containers, break bulk, heavy-lift, and roll-on/roll-off shipments and is equipped with a 1,000-metre heavy-lift quay, 45 hectares of yard space, modern warehousing facilities, and four new Gottwald mobile harbour cranes.
In June 2025, OMT made history when it received the Kota Oasis, a Singaporean-flagged, LNG-powered container vessel the first of its kind to berth in West Africa.
The vessel’s arrival, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), represented a major step toward sustainable shipping and reinforced OMT’s commitment to green port operations.
Beyond its operational milestones, OMT has also made meaningful contributions to its host communities in Ogu and surrounding areas through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
These include safe water projects, youth empowerment programmes, and vocational training designed to foster local development and inclusion.
As one of Nigeria’s leading logistics and cargo-handling centres, Onne Multipurpose Terminal continues to serve as a vital gateway for regional maritime trade.
Through innovation, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, OMT remains a key force in advancing Nigeria’s maritime economy and supporting long-term sustainable growth.