Capt Ebubeogu: Port System in Nigeria Should Aim for Convergence of Digitalization, Automation, Decarbonization, to Create Smart 6G, Green Ports
Capt Ebubeogu
• Seaport of the future will no longer be evaluated merely by physical infrastructure or throughput volume but by hyper-connectivity, logistics-corridor-fluidity and competitiveness
By Francis Ugwoke
A Master Mariner, maritime expert and former General Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Marine Operations, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu has said that Nigeria should aim to have the port of the future in terms of international standards in her efforts to compete favourably with other maritime nations.
Ebubeogu said Nigerian ports should be prepared to play host in the foreseeable future to vessels like the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS).
Autonomous ships refer to ships that are sailing from one destination to another without crew on board. Experts say they could be controlled remotely or even fully autonomous.
The new MASS code which took effect from July this year requires that maritime nations who are members of the IMO have 2032 deadline to key into the regime.
Capt Ebubeogu who spoke recently on the occasion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) organised by members of the Association of Master Mariners canvassed that the future of the port system in Nigeria should be “dynamic, driven by a convergence of digitalization, automation, and decarbonization, to create “Smart 6G Ports” and “Green Ports”.
According to him, “These future hubs of Maritime logistic are expected to transform from traditional cargo handling points into intelligent eco-friendly, and highly automated ecosystems capable of handling large vessels and integrating seamlessly or even becoming smart cities”.
He added “ In this way their new reputation and operational performance status will place them in such a competitive position that will attract adequate volume of cargos, substantially enough to represent their fair market share of the contestable cargos, experience a high rate of economic growth, as well as effectively position them for the African Continental Free Trade Zone Area Regime”.
According to him, the port of the future by 2026 is
“defined by a hybrid model, merging two fundamental pillars of modern maritime evolution namely: – Smart Port(data driven, automated for technology optimization)
• Green Port (sustainable, low carbon for ecological preservation)”
In his paper titled “Port Stimulus and Modernization Policy – The Nigerian Experience”, the Master Mariner states: “Smart Port: is a modernized seaport that uses technologies, data analytics, automation, and the internet of Things(IoT) to optimize logistics, boost operational efficiency, and lower costs.
“Green Port: is a seaport that prioritizes environmental sustainability by reducing air and water pollution, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste effectively, and adopting renewable energy sources”.
He identified the focus of such digital ports as:
• To handle growing cargo volumes
• To adhere to strict decarbonization regulations
• Efficiency, speed, cost reduction and data connectivity
• Ecological preservation
• Carbon foot print reduction, and resolves conservation”
He made it clear that “the seaport of the future will no longer be evaluated merely by it physical infrastructure or throughput volume. Instead, it will be characterized by its integration into a hyper-connected, sustainable ecosystem where digitalization, environmental accountability, logistics-corridor-fluidity dictate its global reputation and competitiveness”.
Ebubeogu stated, “Under a green port regime, maritime ports transform from localized pollution centers into strategic gateways for global decarbonization. Because shipping accounts for approximately 17% of global CO2 emissions with ships at berth being the primary source of port pollution—green ports contribute to combating climate change through several core strategies.
He identified some of the strategies as eliminating At-Berth Emissions (Shore Power), Transitioning to Clean Energy Infrastructure, Equipment Electrification,
iii. Serving as Alternative Fuel Hubs, Energy-Efficient Technologies, Smart Logistics and Digitalization and Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Resilience.
Ebubeogu explained:
“Eliminating At-Berth Emissions
The largest immediate impact comes from cold ironing (shore-to-ship power). Instead of burning heavy fuel oil to keep auxiliary systems running while docked, ships plug directly into the landside electrical grid. This allows vessels to completely shut down their engines, eliminating greenhouse gases and dramatically improving local air quality.
ii. Transitioning to Clean Energy Infrastructure
• Green ports aggressively cut fossil fuel dependency within their boundaries by:
• On-Site Renewables: Generating power locally via wind turbines and solar panel arrays to run facilities.
• Equipment Electrification: Upgrading heavy logistics cargo handlers, cranes, terminal vehicles, and port trucks to electric or hybrid models.
Energy-Efficient Technologies: Transitioning to smart systems, such as replacing high-intensity discharge yard lighting with LED systems.
iii. Serving as Alternative Fuel Hubs
• To support the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets of reaching net-zero maritime emissions by 2050, ports are restructuring into hydrogen and green fuel hubs. They are building specialized bunkering and retrofit infrastructure required to supply the next generation of vessels running on green methanol, green ammonia, and synthetic e-fuels.
iv. Smart Logistics and Digitalization
• Green ports utilize AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to streamline operations. Digital container tracking and smart traffic management minimize vessel wait times, prevent bottlenecks, and optimize terminal truck movement. Reducing operational delays translates directly to decreased fuel burn and minimized idling emissions.
v. Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Resilience
• Beyond lowering emissions, green ports deploy Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to protect against the existing effects of climate change (such as rising sea levels and extreme storms). By integrating coastal ecosystems, sediment flows, and natural barriers alongside traditional engineering, ports absorb storm surges, protect local marine biodiversity, and secure global supply chains from climate-driven shutdowns.”
For port reputation and competitiveness, he advised that to become reputable, highly competitive, and operate at a lower logistics cost, a modern sea port must evolve from a basic land-sea interface into an integrated, customer-centric logistical node with the following attributes:
• Operational efficiency
• Deepwater nautical access
• Competitive tariff costs (lower logistic cost)
• Reliable hinterland connections (road and rail)
• Fast customs clearance procedures
• Safety records
• Regulatory compliance”
He cautioned that where a port does not cut the forgoing imperatives, “it will fall short of playing its role as hub of maritime logistic as well as source of National Economic Growth”.
By Francis Ugwoke
A Master Mariner, maritime expert and former General Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Marine Operations, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu has said that Nigeria should aim to have the port of the future in terms of international standards in her efforts to compete favourably with other maritime nations.
Ebubeogu said Nigerian ports should be prepared to play host in the foreseeable future to vessels like the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS).
Autonomous ships refer to ships that are sailing from one destination to another without crew on board. Experts say they could be controlled remotely or even fully autonomous.
The new MASS code which took effect from July this year requires that maritime nations who are members of the IMO have 2032 deadline to key into the regime.
Capt Ebubeogu who spoke recently on the occasion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) organised by members of the Association of Master Mariners canvassed that the future of the port system in Nigeria should be “dynamic, driven by a convergence of digitalization, automation, and decarbonization, to create “Smart 6G Ports” and “Green Ports”.
According to him, “These future hubs of Maritime logistic are expected to transform from traditional cargo handling points into intelligent eco-friendly, and highly automated ecosystems capable of handling large vessels and integrating seamlessly or even becoming smart cities”.
He added “ In this way their new reputation and operational performance status will place them in such a competitive position that will attract adequate volume of cargos, substantially enough to represent their fair market share of the contestable cargos, experience a high rate of economic growth, as well as effectively position them for the African Continental Free Trade Zone Area Regime”.
According to him, the port of the future by 2026 is
“defined by a hybrid model, merging two fundamental pillars of modern maritime evolution namely: – Smart Port(data driven, automated for technology optimization)
• Green Port (sustainable, low carbon for ecological preservation)”
In his paper titled “Port Stimulus and Modernization Policy – The Nigerian Experience”, the Master Mariner states: “Smart Port: is a modernized seaport that uses technologies, data analytics, automation, and the internet of Things(IoT) to optimize logistics, boost operational efficiency, and lower costs.
“Green Port: is a seaport that prioritizes environmental sustainability by reducing air and water pollution, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste effectively, and adopting renewable energy sources”.
He identified the focus of such digital ports as:
• To handle growing cargo volumes
• To adhere to strict decarbonization regulations
• Efficiency, speed, cost reduction and data connectivity
• Ecological preservation
• Carbon foot print reduction, and resolves conservation”
He made it clear that “the seaport of the future will no longer be evaluated merely by it physical infrastructure or throughput volume. Instead, it will be characterized by its integration into a hyper-connected, sustainable ecosystem where digitalization, environmental accountability, logistics-corridor-fluidity dictate its global reputation and competitiveness”.
Ebubeogu stated, “Under a green port regime, maritime ports transform from localized pollution centers into strategic gateways for global decarbonization. Because shipping accounts for approximately 17% of global CO2 emissions with ships at berth being the primary source of port pollution—green ports contribute to combating climate change through several core strategies.
He identified some of the strategies as eliminating At-Berth Emissions (Shore Power), Transitioning to Clean Energy Infrastructure, Equipment Electrification,
iii. Serving as Alternative Fuel Hubs, Energy-Efficient Technologies, Smart Logistics and Digitalization and Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Resilience.
Ebubeogu explained:
“Eliminating At-Berth Emissions
The largest immediate impact comes from cold ironing (shore-to-ship power). Instead of burning heavy fuel oil to keep auxiliary systems running while docked, ships plug directly into the landside electrical grid. This allows vessels to completely shut down their engines, eliminating greenhouse gases and dramatically improving local air quality.
ii. Transitioning to Clean Energy Infrastructure
• Green ports aggressively cut fossil fuel dependency within their boundaries by:
• On-Site Renewables: Generating power locally via wind turbines and solar panel arrays to run facilities.
• Equipment Electrification: Upgrading heavy logistics cargo handlers, cranes, terminal vehicles, and port trucks to electric or hybrid models.
Energy-Efficient Technologies: Transitioning to smart systems, such as replacing high-intensity discharge yard lighting with LED systems.
iii. Serving as Alternative Fuel Hubs
• To support the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets of reaching net-zero maritime emissions by 2050, ports are restructuring into hydrogen and green fuel hubs. They are building specialized bunkering and retrofit infrastructure required to supply the next generation of vessels running on green methanol, green ammonia, and synthetic e-fuels.
iv. Smart Logistics and Digitalization
• Green ports utilize AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to streamline operations. Digital container tracking and smart traffic management minimize vessel wait times, prevent bottlenecks, and optimize terminal truck movement. Reducing operational delays translates directly to decreased fuel burn and minimized idling emissions.
v. Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Resilience
• Beyond lowering emissions, green ports deploy Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to protect against the existing effects of climate change (such as rising sea levels and extreme storms). By integrating coastal ecosystems, sediment flows, and natural barriers alongside traditional engineering, ports absorb storm surges, protect local marine biodiversity, and secure global supply chains from climate-driven shutdowns.”
For port reputation and competitiveness, he advised that to become reputable, highly competitive, and operate at a lower logistics cost, a modern sea port must evolve from a basic land-sea interface into an integrated, customer-centric logistical node with the following attributes:
• Operational efficiency
• Deepwater nautical access
• Competitive tariff costs (lower logistic cost)
• Reliable hinterland connections (road and rail)
• Fast customs clearance procedures
• Safety records
• Regulatory compliance”
He cautioned that where a port does not cut the forgoing imperatives, “it will fall short of playing its role as hub of maritime logistic as well as source of National Economic Growth”.
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