POTEMAN Highlights Strategic Approaches To Boost Port Efficiency

The Port and Terminal Management Academy of Nigeria (POTEMAN) has highlighted the critical role of port and terminal operations in facilitating international trade by serving as vital links between sea and land transport.

In a recent study, POTEMAN explored the impact of these operations through three strategic approaches: inclusive, exclusive, and concurrent.

Registrar, POTEMAN, Professor Babatunde Samuel disclosed this at the academy ‘s maiden international award ceremony held in Lagos over the weekend,

Samuel who highlighted the critical role of port and terminal operations in facilitating international trade by serving as vital links between sea and land transport stressed that in a recent study, POTEMAN explored the impact of these operations through three strategic approaches: inclusive, exclusive, and concurrent.

According to Samuel, the inclusive approach focuses on the integration of ports within global supply chains, improving connectivity, efficiency, and trade facilitation through collaboration among multiple stakeholders and sectors, while giving examples to include enhanced logistics, customs cooperation, public-private partnerships, and digitalization efforts akin to the Port of Rotterdam’s model.

The exclusive approach , he noted , treats ports as autonomous entities that influence trade competitiveness by focusing on specialized infrastructure, policies, and logistics tailored to specific commodities or trade routes.

The maritime expert affirmed that the Lagos Port Complex exemplifies this by prioritizing container and petroleum product throughput.

The concurrent approach, the maritime expert added, combines both inclusive and exclusive strategies to balance global integration with local specialization, fostering regional competitiveness while maintaining global connectivity. Singapore Port’s blend of advanced technology and industry specialization illustrates this model.

POTEMAN boss emphasized that these approaches collectively underscore the strategic importance of ports in boosting trade volumes, reducing logistics costs, strengthening national economies, and attracting foreign direct investment.

The academy boss also advocated for balanced management strategies to enhance efficiency, specialization, and sustainable growth in international trade.

“This comprehensive framework reflects the evolving dynamics of port operations and their pivotal role in advancing economic globalization and regional development.

POTEMAN emphasizes that these approaches collectively underscore the strategic importance of ports in boosting trade volumes, reducing logistics costs, strengthening national economies, and attracting foreign direct investment.