NIWA warns operators against overloading barges on Lagos waterways

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has warned cargo barge operators against overloading containers beyond approved limits, calling the practice a serious safety threat on Lagos inland waterways. Speaking at the 2026 Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Dockworkers' Day in Lagos, NIWA Lagos Area Manager Engr Sarat Braimah stated that overloaded barges create blind spots for tugboat captains, increasing collision risks. She emphasized that safety in the maritime sector is non-negotiable and errors endanger human lives and the environment. NIWA has stepped up monitoring and enforcement at loading docks to ensure container stacks adhere to legal height limits and maintain clear visibility.