Barge Operations In Nigeria – What you should Know

Some of our recent posts have focused on barge operations, especially with the idea of being a viable alternative to consider in logistics. In most recent times, barge solutions continue to stand out as perhaps the fastest, easiest and safest way to make deliveries of goods from the Ports. Barge operations have been proven over time to cut cost and provide all kinds of advantages to ship operators and their crews. Bulk orders can be delivered more efficiently by barge than by truck – seafarers on the delivery barge and receiving ship can communicate to ensure a smooth operation.

A major concern faced by most procurement officers is usually the high price they incur while trying to make deliveries of goods, ranging from the cost of delivering to the price paid for extended delay of cargoes at the ports.

Improper planning and road congestion amongst others are reasons the cost of moving cargoes are usually hiked but barge solutions have proven to be the easy way out.

There are grey areas regarding barge operations in Nigeria and we aim to highlight on these areas. This piece seeks to cover areas such as: price ranges, accessibility to barges amongst others.

The types of barges to be used varies and it is determined by 2 factors:

(i) the containers on barge operations and

(ii) the truck on barge operations.

What size of barges can operate in the inland water way?

Barges ranging from 1,000 tons – 3,000 tons

When using a truck on barge operations it is also referred to as RoRo (Roll on Roll off) which uses a ramp barge. It runs between a 1200-ton barge and 2500-ton barge with specific heights of 3.5 meters.  

What is the average cost of transporting cargoes by barge in Nigeria?

The average cost of renting a barge in Nigeria of about 1000-1200-tons is about N350,000. This is subject to change based on market conditions.

How does the use of barges for transportation of cargoes really work?

The container on barge operations is dependent on the load line or capacity the barge can carry. Inland water channels use between 1500-3000-ton barge. The inland water channels have a low draft; usually ranges from 1-4meters. It is important to use a barge that can navigate both high and low draft on a single voyage. Having higher ton barges are very important in managing cost of voyage and helps the economies of scale.

Why trust TGL’s Barge Operations for transportation of your cargoes?

At TGL, our barge operations have been designed in such a way that from the comfort of your office or home, you can have your cargoes brought to your doorstep and your empties returned at no extra cost.

TGL barge operations have proven to be one of the best in the country as we are second to none and it has proven to be among the swiftest ways to import or export.  Our barge is a cost and time effective means of transporting your cargoes.

No longer do you have to wait for weeks or even months! to have access to your goods. You no longer have to battle the congestion faced at the Apapa Ports. With our barge operations, your goods are moved from the Lagos Ports to our Lekki jetty and then to your warehouse. The extra bonus point for you is that you avoid incurring extra cost on the length of days your goods would have spent at the Apapa port.

Our Barge Operations cover but are not limited to Importation, Exportation and Empties management. We at TGL are readily available to smoothen your journey with our swift logistics system. Our services cover logistics, commodities trading and providing EPC services in the energy sector and other related sectors. With a team of over 50 years’ combined experience in freight forwarding, out-country and in-country logistics, compliance/documentation, and core technology services and we are more than able to ensure that the logistics process(es) of your business stays afloat.