The National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO) has pledged to work closely with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to develop a practical and achievable roadmap for upgrading cargo-handling equipment as part of efforts to advance Nigeria’s green ports agenda.
Speaking at the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day celebration organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in Lagos, NASO President, Bolaji Sunmola, stressed that the transition to environmentally sustainable port operations must be backed by realistic implementation plans and accessible financing options for operators.
According to him, the proposed industry-wide equipment upgrade roadmap should align with the operational realities of Nigerian stevedoring companies and be supported by suitable financing mechanisms, including opportunities under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) pipeline being accessed through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
Sunmola warned against imposing environmental compliance requirements on operators without providing the financial support needed to meet them.
“Green practices must not become an unfunded mandate imposed on operators who lack the capital to comply. That would be neither fair nor effective,” he said.
He noted that cargo-handling equipment such as cranes, forklifts, terminal tractors and other machinery contribute significantly to emissions generated within port operations, making their modernization critical to achieving sustainability goals.
“We must also be frank: the equipment our industry deploys contributes materially to the emissions footprint of port operations. NASO is committed to engaging actively with the NPA and NIMASA to develop an industry-wide equipment upgrade roadmap,” he stated.
The NASO President recalled that the International Maritime Organisation’s revised greenhouse gas strategy targets at least a 20 per cent reduction in shipping emissions by 2030 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, underscoring the need for Nigeria to align its port operations with global sustainability standards.
He urged the Federal Government to integrate environmental performance benchmarks into the country’s ongoing port modernisation programme.
“We call on the Honourable Minister and the NPA leadership to ensure that Nigeria’s ongoing port modernisation programme becomes the platform on which green performance standards are firmly anchored,” he said.
According to Sunmola, port expansion projects that focus solely on increasing cargo-handling capacity without addressing environmental concerns remain incomplete.
He advocated the inclusion of binding green performance indicators covering emissions reduction, equipment standards, waste management and cargo dwell time in all new port infrastructure projects, operational upgrades and regulatory frameworks.
Beyond environmental considerations, Sunmola emphasised the need to protect dockworkers and other port users, arguing that sustainability must also encompass workers’ welfare and safety.
“A green port that exposes its workers to toxic emissions, unsafe working conditions and degraded welfare is a contradiction in terms. The sustainability agenda must extend to the sustainability of livelihoods,” he said.
He added that NASO remains committed to building a port ecosystem that is efficient, environmentally responsible and humane for workers.
The NASO President also commended SCAN for championing critical conversations on the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“By choosing the theme, ‘Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,’ SCAN has once again demonstrated its capacity not only to report the conversation but also to shape it,” he said.
Sunmola further identified operational efficiency as the most immediate and cost-effective green initiative available to Nigeria’s ports.
According to him, reducing cargo dwell time, speeding up vessel turnaround, and eliminating prolonged truck congestion at port gates can significantly cut emissions without requiring expensive technology investments.
“When stevedores discharge and deliver cargo faster, when vessels wait less at anchorage, and when trucks do not idle for days at the port gate, the environmental benefit is automatic, measurable and immediate. The carbon that is never emitted is the greenest of all,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the President of SCAN, Moses Ebosele called on the Federal Government and maritime industry stakeholders to prioritise capacity building and improved welfare for dockworkers as the nation pursues its port modernisation and sustainability agenda.
Ebosele said investment in human capital development remains critical to the success of ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria’s seaports into globally competitive and environmentally sustainable hubs.
The event, themed “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,” brought together government officials, maritime stakeholders, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), industry operators, and journalists to celebrate the contributions of dockworkers to the nation’s maritime sector.
In his welcome address, Ebosele described the theme as timely, noting that the global maritime industry is increasingly embracing environmentally responsible practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner operations, conserving energy, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.
According to him, dockworkers remain the backbone of port operations, facilitating cargo movement, supporting international trade, and contributing significantly to national economic development.
He stressed that as Nigeria moves towards greener ports, workers must be equipped with the necessary skills, technology, and welfare support needed to adapt to emerging trends and evolving operational requirements.
“As we advocate for greener ports, we must ensure that dockworkers are equipped with the necessary training, technology, and welfare support required to thrive in an evolving maritime environment,” he said.
Ebosele noted that the celebration provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, discuss industry challenges, and explore practical solutions for advancing sustainable port operations across the country.
He also commended the Federal Government for announcing a $1 billion port development initiative aimed at revitalising the Apapa and Tin Can Island seaports, while expressing optimism that the programme would eventually be extended to other ports nationwide.
While applauding the initiative, the SCAN president urged the government to give equal attention to workforce development, warning that infrastructure upgrades alone would not guarantee the desired transformation of the sector.
“The proposed modernisation of our ports will not achieve its desired objectives without sustained investment in human capital development, continuous training, and improved welfare packages for workers,” he stated.
Ebosele further reaffirmed the commitment of maritime journalists to promoting informed discourse, highlighting industry challenges, and supporting policies and initiatives that advance sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He expressed appreciation to the event’s sponsors, partners, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the celebration.
The SCAN president also welcomed participants to the event, urging stakeholders to renew their commitment to building cleaner, safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable ports for the benefit of future generations.
The 2026 Dockworkers Day celebration highlighted the growing importance of sustainability in port operations and underscored the need for collaboration among government, labour unions, operators, and industry professionals to achieve a greener maritime sector.
