In a recent report, the Council noted that although the Gulf of Guinea remains one of Africa’s busiest maritime corridors—with extensive offshore oil support operations, tanker movements, cargo trade, and fishing activities—the region lacks the shipyard capacity required to support the large volume of vessels operating within its waters.
According to the report, more than 1,200 vessels are actively engaged across different maritime sectors in the Gulf of Guinea, yet existing dry-docking facilities can only service an estimated 100 to 150 vessels annually.
Vessel Operators Forced to Seek Repairs Abroad
The Council explained that international maritime regulations require commercial vessels to undergo periodic dry-docking every two to five years for inspection, maintenance, and certification purposes.
However, due to limited local infrastructure, many operators are increasingly compelled to move their vessels to foreign destinations such as South Africa, Senegal, the Canary Islands, the Middle East, and parts of Asia for repairs and technical servicing.
“The Gulf of Guinea operates hundreds of vessels but lacks the shipyard infrastructure needed to service them locally,” the Council stated.
The organisation described the trend as a significant form of “maritime capital flight,” where not only financial resources but also industrial expertise and skilled labour opportunities are transferred out of the region.
High Repair Costs Driving Revenue Out of West Africa
The report highlighted the enormous value attached to ship repair and dry-docking operations, noting that maintenance costs vary depending on vessel type and size.
According to the Council:
- Offshore support vessels typically spend between $400,000 and $900,000 per docking exercise
- Medium-sized tankers and cargo vessels require approximately $700,000 to $1.5 million
- Large tankers may exceed $2 million in repair and maintenance costs during a single dry-docking cycle
The Council stressed that these expenditures represent major economic opportunities that West African economies are currently unable to capture due to insufficient maritime industrial infrastructure.
 |
| Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote (left); Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, during the opening ceremony of the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of PMAWCA hosted by NPA in Victoria Island, Lagos. |
The African Maritime Council further explained that ship repair activities go far beyond basic docking procedures.
Associated services include:
- Marine engineering
- Steel fabrication
- Hull cleaning and structural repairs
- Marine coating and inspections
- Towage operations
- Port and logistics support services
These activities, according to the Council, generate substantial industrial activity around functional shipyards and support thousands of skilled and semi-skilled jobs.
Because most of these services are currently being carried out outside the region, West Africa is losing opportunities to build indigenous technical expertise, strengthen manufacturing capacity, and expand employment within the maritime value chain.
Call for Urgent Investment in Maritime Infrastructure
The Council urged governments and private investors across West Africa to prioritise investment in shipyards, dry-docking facilities, and broader maritime industrial infrastructure to reverse the trend.
It warned that continued dependence on foreign shipyards weakens the region’s long-term maritime competitiveness despite the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea to African and global trade.
According to the Council, expanding local repair and maintenance capacity would help retain maritime revenue within the region, create jobs, improve technical knowledge transfer, and stimulate wider economic development.
Industry observers say improved maritime infrastructure could also reduce operational costs for vessel owners, shorten maintenance turnaround times, and strengthen regional shipping and logistics efficiency.