The 2023 Ships & Ports Maritime Cup, which started on 24th October, had a most glorious end last Friday.
The oldest and most consistent industry sporting event in Nigeria saw 15 top maritime companies and government agencies competing for honours in four groups. Group A was made of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Comet Shipping Agencies and COSCO Shipping Nigeria.
In Group B, 2019 runner-up Josepdam Port Services contended with 2014 champions National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and first-timers National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Group C had 2019 champions ENL Consortium, 2018 runner-up Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dynasty Shipping and leading terminal operator APM Terminals Apapa while Group D paraded 2009 champions Nigerian Navy, five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service and two new entrants – Blueche Lomado and Truck Transit Park (TTP).
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) won the tournament after defeating five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service 5-4 in a thrilling final match watched by a mammoth crowd at the Stable Sports Complex, Surulere, Lagos.
Pictures below highlight some of the defining moments of the tournament’s closing ceremony: