The Council is collaborating with Nigerian Export – Import Bank (NEXIM), to develop a sea link between members of the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) which are Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe.

The Sea link Project will establish a maritime shipping line which will provide cabotage, passenger services and goods haulage among the countries of the JDZ

The project which resulted from a successful comprehensive Technical and Economic feasibility study is aimed at reducing the cost of moving cargo among the countries of the JDZ and increasing maritime and trade activities among them.

The project, when completed will:

• Reduce the cost of moving cargo among the countries of the JDZ and increase maritime and trade activities among the countries by ensuring payment of duty only on goods delivered to the ports of final destination.
• Improve frequency of maritime services between Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe which will ultimately improve commerce in and around the entire Gulf of Guinea.
• Improve private sector initiative through the provision of efficient sea transport services by giving them competitive edge to exporters and importers
• Reduce transportation costs;
• Eliminate the need for cargo trans-shipment in Europe for Intra-African trade.
• Increase trade volume and improve efficiency in transportation in the Sub-region; and
• Boost economic growth and development for Nigeria

SEALINK PROMOTIONAL COMPANY LIMITED

Sealink Promotional Company Limited is a Nigerian company that specializes in the promotion and development of maritime transportation and logistics services in Nigeria and West Africa. The company is a subsidiary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and was established to promote and facilitate the use of inland waterways and coastal shipping for cargo transportation in Nigeria.

Sealink Promotional Company Limited has a mandate to provide support services to shippers, shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry. The company aims to promote the use of inland waterways and coastal shipping as a viable and cost-effective alternative to road transportation for cargo movement, which would help to reduce the cost of transportation and improve the efficiency of the logistics supply chain in Nigeria.

Sealink Promotional Company Limited also aims to promote and facilitate the development of port infrastructure and logistics services in Nigeria, including the establishment of inland container depots, truck parks, and other logistics facilities. The company works closely with other stakeholders in the maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the National Inland Waterways Authority, to achieve its objectives.

With regard to Sealink update on NSC’s website, please see highlights below:

1. Sealink’s two operational bases, Ajaokuta and Burutu ports, are being upgraded. For Ajaokuta, upgrades include erection of four warehouses, installation of weigh bridges, and perimeter fencing/port access control measures in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. Sealink is also waiting for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Geotechnical Study Report to complete these upgrades. On Burutu, the Outline Business Case (OBC) has been approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), and the Final Business Case (FBC) is being readied for submission.
2. Sealink has executed a partnership framework with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for port diagnostic and Lower River Niger freight corridor development. A technical team from Belgium is visiting Nigeria for the first part of the assignment.
3. Sealink is also in ongoing engagement for affreightment contracts negotiations, while consortium partners have been notified to enhance their readiness to deploy/provide a platform with Q2/Q3 tentatively fixed for launch, subject to improvement in the navigational channel.