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National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has frowned on the frequency of overloading barges with shipping containers on the internal waterways.
The Lagos Area Manager, NIWA, Engr Sarat Braimah, who disclosed this at the SCAN Dockworkers’ Day 2026, organized by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Lagos, said the overloaded barges pose a risk of accidents to oncoming tugboats and others using the water route.
She said: “To maximize profit per trip, operators frequently overload barges with shipping containers. When these heavy containers are stacked too high or poorly arranged, they create a massive blind spot that completely blocks the tugboat captain’s forward visibility.
“Operating a vessel without a clear line of sight is incredibly dangerous. It makes it nearly impossible for a captain to spot oncoming traffic, sandbanks, or smaller passenger boats in time to avoid a collision,” she stated.
Braimah, who was represented by the Assistant Manager Marine Operations, Engr Kelvin Abba, therefore said NIWA has stepped up monitoring and enforcement at loading docks to ensure that container stacks adhere to legal height limits and maintain clear, unobstructed visibility from the wheelhouse.
“NIWA has been actively addressing critical safety gaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways. The most urgent concerns focus on improper barge loading, misapplied safety gear, and the severe hazards of marine litter, amongst many others,” she stated.
She encouraged the maritime workers to strictly comply with safety rules, saying: “Safety on the water relies on a chain of smart choices. Securing the load properly, wearing the right vest for the task, and keeping trash out of the water ensures everyone makes it back to the jetty safely.”
Noting that improper waste disposal on inland waters remains a serious issue that needs to be tackled headlong, she said NIWA remains fully committed to supporting sustainable maritime practices, enhancing safety across our waterways, and collaborating with all industry partners to build a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous maritime sector for Nigeria.
