Calabar port idle with shallow water channel

A very specific and interesting topic!

Calabar Port, located in Cross River State, Nigeria, is one of the busiest ports in the country. However, it has faced challenges in recent years, including a shallow water channel, which has led to reduced cargo handling capacity and increased congestion.

Here are some reasons why Calabar Port has been idle with a shallow water channel:

  1. Shallow water depth: The port's water channel is only about 9.5 meters deep, which is shallower than the recommended depth of 12-15 meters for most modern ships. This makes it difficult for larger vessels to berth and discharge cargo, resulting in reduced capacity and increased congestion.
  2. Limited draft: The shallow water depth also limits the size of vessels that can call at the port. This means that larger ships, which are more efficient and cost-effective, cannot be accommodated, leading to reduced cargo handling capacity.
  3. Congestion: The shallow water channel has led to congestion at the port, as ships are forced to wait for longer periods to berth and discharge cargo. This congestion has resulted in delays, increased costs, and reduced efficiency.
  4. Maintenance and dredging: The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been working to deepen the water channel to 12 meters, but the project has been slow-moving due to funding constraints and other challenges.
  5. Alternative ports: The shallow water channel has led some shipping lines to divert their cargo to other ports in Nigeria, such as Lagos or Onne, which have deeper water channels and can accommodate larger vessels.

To address these challenges, the Nigerian government and the NPA have been working to deepen the water channel and improve the port's infrastructure. Some of the initiatives include:

  1. Dredging: The NPA has been working to deepen the water channel to 12 meters, which will enable larger vessels to call at the port.
  2. Infrastructure development: The government has been investing in the development of new infrastructure, including the construction of new berths and the expansion of existing facilities.
  3. Private sector investment: The government has been encouraging private sector investment in the port, including the development of new terminals and the expansion of existing ones.

Overall, the shallow water channel at Calabar Port has been a significant challenge, but efforts are underway to address the issue and improve the port's efficiency and capacity.