Lagos ports most notorious for stowaways

A London-based marine insurer, West of England P&I has rated the Lagos Port Complex Apapa and Tin Can Island Port Complex as “the most prolific African port for stowaways by number of stowaways and number of cases”. 

The marine insurer which also stated that stowaways from European ports have increased significantly in recent years said that over the past year, up to 60 cases involving 220 stowaways, costing over USD1.6 million to rectify, have been reported. 

According to findings by National Daily, the high number of such cases from European ports involving UK entered vessels have exclusively involved stowaways boarding RORO ferries, usually hiding in trailers, and where Northern European ports are concerned, these vessels have all been trading from the listed boarding ports to the United Kingdom.

The club, however, state that African ports still predominate on stowaways, with Lagos ports being the most notorious. 

“In recent years the West of England P&I has experienced several incidents whereby large numbers of stowaways (10+) have boarded a vessel in Lagos in a single incident. Durban in South Africa and Douala in Cameroon have also been problematic”, the club stated. 

The West of England P&I club therefore “strongly recommend that vessels visiting, in particular, African ports and Northern European Ports when destined for the United Kingdom, ensure robust anti-stowaway measures are in place at all times.”

As regards the typical stowaway hiding places on board, the void space surrounding the rudder trunk continues to be popular. 

“It is therefore recommended that a substantial metal grating be welded in position, clear of the full movement of the rudder stock, to discourage stowaways from attempting to hide in this location,” the club said. 

National Daily reported on Monday how two stowaways were arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos. The two accused will know their fate September 11, 2017 after they pleaded guilty to a three-count charge brought against them by the police. 

The stowaways, Emmanuel Udio, 29 and Ibe Chinnoso, 24, were arraigned on Monday.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Adeniyi Balogun told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 8, 2017 at about 8:30pm at Port and Cargo Terminal, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa.

He said the accused unlawfully entered the Tin Can Island Port Complex without port pass.

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Sergeant Balogun added that the stowaways unlawfully gained entrance into a ship named “MSC Paola” and hid themselves from the Captain and crew members with the intent of traveling to Europe without international passport, visa and other relevant documents.

The court recently sentenced two stowaways to 10 hours of community service for attempting to travel to Brazil illegally. The community service was performed within the court premises. 

National Daily reports that the Federal Government has been battling with several cases of stowaways at the ports in Lagos.