RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPACT ON LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA.

BY BASHIR YUSUF JAMOH

ABSTRACT

The paper is devoted to the examination of recent developments in the Nigerian Maritime Industry and how these developments, individually and collectively have impacted the management of logistics and supply chains in Nigeria. It draws from already existing literature, academic articles, empirical studies and information gathered on the related issues under examination. The approach adopted is an expose on the maritime industry from birth to date. A brief summary of this is discussed, highlighting the recent developments. An examination of the challenges facing practitioners and management of logistics and supply chains is visited, to measure qualitatively, any effects, positive or negative implications, caused directly or indirectly by the developments in the maritime industry. Finally proffer suggestions in the areas where improvements can be made. A brief history of the Nigerian Maritime Industry is presented from a chronological perspective from the events that led to its creation; through its growth process, and responses to challenges in its growth path till present and future. Challenges that led it to each growth stage in its evolution are examined, to provide an insight from an objective perspective. Shipping in Nigeria is agreed to have started in the second half of the last century. This fortune is said to be by courtesy of foreign shipping lines. It all began with Woreman Line developing into a shipping company in 1894. Their first ship “Theresa Henrietter” left Hamburg for West Africa on the 24th of March 1849. Elder Dumpster began operations in Nigeria in 1892 with their first vessel “Fore runner”, followed by the British company Palm Line after the Second World War. Nigeria entered into sea borne trade with the formation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line in 1958. By 1970 it had accumulated 12 owned vessels from a poor start with three used ones. By 1977 it added 12 additional new ones, bringing the fleet to 24. They are all grounded today or scrapped…..