Indigenous Shipowners Seek Dangote's Support for Local Fleet

Indigenous shipowners have called on major cargo owners, including the Dangote Group, to support local fleet development by offering long-term Contracts of Affreightment for petroleum products, cement, fertiliser, and other bulk cargoes. This appeal was made by Capt. Ladi Olubowale, former Nigeria Chapter President of the African Shipowners Association and Group Managing Director of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, during a Public-Private Dialogue with CEOs organized by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping in Lagos.

Olubowale stated that predictable cargo contracts are essential for vessel financing and acquisition, arguing that Nigerian owners cannot sustainably acquire large vessels without guaranteed cargo volumes. He suggested that Dangote, with its significant maritime cargo volumes, could catalyze local fleet growth by allocating portions of its cargo to qualified indigenous operators under multi-year Contracts of Affreightment.

Olubowale proposed a four-pillar model for fleet development, emphasizing the importance of cargo, contracts, finance, and vessels in creating a sustainable maritime economy.