There are estimates that Nigeria could be losing up to US$65 million a year due to the ban placed on the country's ship bunkering activities, report online sources.
The Nigerian Navy is enforcing the ban.
“All over the world, ship bunkering is a legitimate practice whereby the vessels seek to replenish their stock of fuel, grease, lubricants and other related materials before sailing into the sea since such services cannot be rendered while the vessel is mid sea,” said Basil Uba, managing director of Delta Marine Shipping Company, speaking to the Nigerian National Mirror.
“It is a common knowledge that the Nigerian Navy, which is saddled with the responsibility of securing the nation’s territorial waters, has so many vessels and platforms of various sizes and configuration. The question one has to ask is how does the Navy bunker its fleet?”
