By Dipo Olowookere
No fewer than 20 vessels laden with petroleum products are expected by Nigeria to dock at the Lagos ports between now and March 2018.
When the vessels arrive, they will boost fuel supply across the country and partially solve the lingering scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol since last year.
According to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the vessels waiting to berth are labelled Customs release not applicable (CRNAPP).
In its latest shipping position, the ports authority disclosed that the expected cargoes include Fish; Chemical bags; Sugar; Wheat; Fertilizer, Petrol and Diesel and a host of others.
The NPA further said the tanker vessels waiting to berth are currently at ACJ, SMB, and PWA terminals, while another two motor vessels laden with fertiliser are waiting to berth at ENL.
The vessels expected include Sierra King, Poasoa Wisdom VII, Adrmore Enterprise, Artic Bay, Mandrine Glory, Roman 3, Osiris, Desert Hope, Federal Danube, Desert Melody, Histra Ivory, MSK Casablanca Monenvasia, MSK Cadiz, LPO Pisces, and Rosemary, and others.
The NPA noted that the 20 expected vessels are among the 34 ships being expected at the Lagos Pilotage District of the Apapa port, and billed to start arriving from February 20 to March 24.
Adedapo Adesanya