CONTAINERIZATION: A MODERN TOOL FOR EASY SEA TRANSPORTATION AND THE CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Containerization simply means the use of a container to pack goods either for export or    import. It could be used for any type of goods whether wet, dry and even for liquid ones, as there are modern containers specifically built to transport liquid products like petroleum and gas. Also, it can be used for any means of transportation as in vehicles for road, airplanes for air, rail tracks for trains, and ships for the seas, which is our focus. Though containers are in different sizes, they generally contain large quantities of goods and so are very good for transportation of commodities that are plenteous and going to long distance places. Their purpose is to evacuate such commodities on time with less stress by not running a long distance several times as in where a container is not used. Despite the above, containerization has its own challenges, which might appear to outweigh its benefits. From our findings, reports have it that containers are being used for human trafficking, drug smuggling, amongst other illegal activities, which have resulted in several lives being lost. The essence of this research was to show that though very useful in modern day sea transportation, containerization has several challenges that arise if it is not used properly. Therefore, it is recommended that containerization should be used for the purpose they are meant for and not otherwise. Again, the laws and regulations applicable to containerization in this country, should be strictly enforced and made to be complied with and punishment met out to offenders accordingly where there is any breach of the laws and regulations.