BY GODWIN OBI
In a move that promises to shake up the Nigerian shipping industry, the much-anticipated International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is finally slated for launch in the second quarter of this year, setting the stage for a new era of efficiency and oversight at the nation’s ports.
The announcement was made by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah ‘MON’, at a high-profile management retreat in Ibadan, Oyo State. Under the theme “The Future—Transition from Nigerian Shippers’ Council to Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA),” Akutah revealed that with the full backing of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the ICTN is on track to revolutionize cargo management across Nigerian ports by mid-2025.
“The implementation of the ICTN, under the strategic direction of the Ministry, will not only streamline operations but will also open the floodgates for enhanced revenue generation and better regulatory oversight,” Akutah stated, with an air of excitement about the project’s transformative potential.
But that’s not all. The Council is also gearing up for a game-changing shift in its financial landscape. Akutah revealed that the 2025 budget will be anchored on the collection of a 1% freight stabilization fee, expected to kick off once the NPERA Bill receives Presidential assent. This move promises to bolster the Council’s financial standing and create a more sustainable framework for managing the country’s bustling shipping sector.
DR. AKUTAH, ES/CEO OF THE NIGERIAN SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL
During his keynote address, Akutah took a moment to highlight the Council’s impressive strides in the past year. “Today, we embark on a pivotal journey as we transition from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to NPERA. We’ve made remarkable progress, from signing Minimum Standards of Service Conditions for shipping workers to launching the Operational Manual for Inland Dry Ports. We’ve also introduced the online registration portal for port service providers and built the E-Regulatory Process Portal (ERPP),” he added.
The retreat was a clear signal that NSC is not just planning for the future—it’s actively shaping it. The unveiling of the ICTN and the strategic planning behind the NPERA transition are part of a broader vision to enhance Nigeria’s standing as a competitive force in global maritime trade.
As the countdown to Q2 2025 begins, industry insiders and stakeholders are eager to see how the implementation of the ICTN will transform Nigerian ports and, ultimately, the nation’s economy. The future of shipping in Nigeria is undoubtedly on the cusp of a major shift.
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