Despite the disruption of operation of the various oil firms in the country by the Niger Delta Militia, a total of 29.36 million tones of crude oil was shipped by Nigeria during the first quarter of this year.

This represent an increase of 19 per cent over 24,750,838 tonnes recorded in 2008, and 11 per cent over the 2007 figure of 26,496,595respectively.

This information was contained in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) quarterly statistics.

The statistics which was made available to Daily Champion by the NPA spokesman Mr. Musa Illia showed that no fewer than 216 tankers were handled in all crude oil terminals within the review period representing a difference of 192 tankers and five percent increase over 206 tankers achieved in 2007.

Also the gross registered tonnage of tanker vessels recorded in the nations operational ports within the review period stood at 19,815,389, an increase of seven percent over 18,576,017 achieved in 2008, and a decrease of 12 per cent from 22,555, 591 gross tonnage witnessed in 2007.

Similarly, a substantial 4414 coastal vessels were handled indicating an increase of 0.6per cent over 4387 recorded in 2008 while the gross registered tonnage was pegged at 1,693, 002, an increase of 15 per cent over the 2008 figure of 1,474, 296.

Further breakdown of the statistics showed that 1,086 ocean-going vessels called in the first three months of this year, as against 1,087 in 2008.

Indeed, an overall gross registered tonnage of 19,744,050 was achieved in the first quarter of this year in contrast to 20,570,215 recorded during the same period in 2008, a decrease of four percent. There was also a drop of 2.5 per cent compared with 20,248,951 gross registered tonnage in 2007.

Meanwhile, the cargo throughput within the review period rose to 15,759,942 tonnes showing an insignificant increase of one per cent over 15, 614,434 tonnes in the first quarter of 2008, and increase of 18 per cent over 13,314,747 tonnes recorded in 2007respectively.

A look at the inward cargo traffic at the ports showed an increase of 19 per cent from 9,494,465 tonnes in 2008 to 11,305,305 tonnes in the first quarter of this year, while an increase of 46 per cent over 7,734,071 tonnes was achieved in 2007.

Outward cargo traffic witnessed a decress of 35 per cent from 6119,969 tonnes in 2008 to 4,454, 637 tonnes in 2009. It similarly declined by 20 percent from 5,580,676 tonnes in 2007.

On the other hand, the inward traffic showed an increase of 19 per cent from 9,494,465 tonnes during the review period. This represents further increase of 46 per cent over 7,734,971 tonnes achieved in 2007.