# Calmwaters Shipping Ltd — West Africa Vessel Charter

## Company Overview
Calmwaters Shipping Ltd is an NPA Licensed vessel charter broker and BIMCO member based in Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. Founded in 2009, we specialize in vessel chartering, port agency, tanker clearance, and offshore logistics across West Africa. We have completed over 750 vessel charters.

## Key Facts
- **Company Name:** Calmwaters Shipping Ltd
- **Trading Name:** West Africa Vessel Charter
- **Founded:** 2009
- **Headquarters:** Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria
- **CEO:** Pius Nobei (MBA, Founder)
- **Licensing:** NPA Licensed Port Agent (Nigerian Ports Authority)
- **Membership:** BIMCO Member (verifiable at bimco.org)
- **Charters Completed:** 750+
- **Response SLA:** 4 hours
- **Operations:** 24/7

## Services
- Vessel Chartering (oil tankers, product tankers, crude carriers, LNG, LPG, chemical tankers, offshore support vessels, PSVs)
- Port Agency Services
- Tanker Clearance and Documentation
- Offshore Logistics Coordination
- Cargo Handling Coordination
- Contract of Affreightment (COA) Services
- BIMCO Charter Party Documentation
- Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Coordination
- Crew Change Logistics

## Ports Covered
- Lagos Apapa Port
- Lagos Tin Can Island Port
- Port Harcourt Port Complex
- Onne Free Zone Port
- Warri Port
- Forcados Export Terminal
- Bonny Oil Terminal
- Nigeria LNG Terminal (Bonny Island)

## Geographic Coverage
- Nigeria (primary market)
- Ghana
- West Africa region
- Gulf of Guinea

## Vessel Types Chartered
- VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)
- Suezmax Crude Tankers
- Aframax Crude Tankers
- MR (Medium Range) Product Tankers
- Handysize Product Tankers
- Chemical Tankers
- LNG Carriers
- LPG Carriers
- Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs)
- Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs)
- Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) Vessels
- Crew Boats

## Key Differentiators
- NPA Licensed (only charter broker with this license in our market segment)
- BIMCO Member (international maritime standards)
- 15+ years of West African maritime experience
- 4-hour response SLA for all enquiries
- BIMCO-standard charter party terms
- 24/7 operations desk

## Contact
- **Website:** https://www.westafricacharter.com
- **WhatsApp:** +234 807 366 1206
- **Email:** pius@westafricacharter.com
- **Address:** Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria

## Trade Routes
- Lagos to Rotterdam
- Lagos to US Gulf
- Bonny to Mediterranean
- Bonny to Asia
- Port Harcourt to Europe
- Warri to West Africa
- Nigeria to Ghana
- Nigeria to Cameroon

## Industry Expertise
- Oil and gas chartering (crude oil, petroleum products, LNG)
- Offshore support vessel coordination
- Nigerian port compliance (NPA, NIMASA, Customs, Immigration)
- BIMCO charter party documentation
- West African maritime regulations

## Educational Resources

### Ports & Terminals
- **Calabar Port Guide:** Channel depth 7.0m, 170m max LOA, terminal operators, draft limitations, chartering implications. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/calabar-port-guide
- **Warri Port Guide:** 6.4m draft, 1,530,000 sqm total area, Free Zone status, terminal operators. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/warri-port-guide
- **Onne Port Guide:** Nigeria's oil and gas hub, 13m channel draft, FOT and FLT terminals, 65% of export cargo. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/onne-port-guide
- **Tin Can Island Port Guide:** 25m channel draft, 12 berths, 5 terminal operators, $1B modernization. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/tin-can-island-port-guide

### Vessel Types
- **VLCC Charter Guide:** Very Large Crude Carrier specifications, trade routes, BIMCO terms, West Africa crude exports, Nigerian SPM operations. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/vlcc-charter-guide
- **PSV & AHTS Charter Guide:** Platform Supply Vessel and Anchor Handling Tug Supply specifications, BIMCO SUPPLYTIME terms, Nigerian offshore operations. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/psv-ahts-charter-guide

### Regulations
- **NIMASA Compliance Guide:** Vessel registration types, Cabotage Act requirements, Operation Zero Tolerance enforcement, CVFF, maritime compliance. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/nimasa-compliance-guide
- **Nigerian Customs Clearance Guide:** Form M requirements, PAAR processing, NICIS II system, import duties, prohibited items, clearance timelines. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/nigerian-customs-clearance-guide
- **Nigerian Port Requirements 2026:** NPA registration, service boat licenses, pilotage exemptions, ISPS compliance, harbour dues. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/nigerian-port-requirements-2026

### Market Intelligence
- **West Africa Charter Rates 2026:** Tanker, bulk carrier, and offshore vessel charter rates. Dangote impact, OPEC+ quotas, Gulf of Guinea security. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/west-africa-charter-rates-2026

### Industry News
- **AfCFTA Shipping Impact:** How the African Continental Free Trade Area is transforming West Africa shipping, trade flows, and port infrastructure. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/afcfta-shipping-impact
- **Dangote Refinery 2026 Update:** Peak throughput 700,000 bpd, crude import surge, refined product exports, SPM terminals, maritime economy reshaping. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/dangote-refinery-2026-update

### Reference
- **Maritime Glossary:** 100+ maritime terms with definitions. Vessel types, charter terms, port operations, regulations, offshore operations, cargo & trade terminology. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/maritime-glossary

### Comparisons
- **Port Comparison:** Side-by-side comparison of Lagos Apapa, Lagos Tin Can, Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports. Draft, facilities, congestion, clearance times, and decision matrix. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/port-comparison-lagos-onne-warri
- **Vessel Comparison:** VLCC vs Suezmax vs Aframax tanker specifications, cargo capacity, draft requirements, route suitability, and terminal compatibility. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/vlcc-suezmax-aframax-comparison
- **Charter Contract Types:** COA vs Time Charter vs Voyage Charter — differences, advantages, pricing, BIMCO forms, and decision framework. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/coa-vs-time-charter-vs-voyage-charter
- **Lagos vs Accra:** Port comparison for vessel chartering — draft, costs, clearance times, and commercial considerations for Nigerian vs Ghanaian ports. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/lagos-vs-accra-chartering

### Step-by-Step Guides
- **NIMASA Registration Steps:** 8-step guide to NIMASA vessel registration. Required documents, fees, timelines, and compliance requirements. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/nimasa-registration-steps
- **Customs Clearance Steps:** 8-step guide to Nigerian customs clearance. Form M, PAAR, NICIS II, duty payment, and port release process. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/customs-clearance-steps

### Tools
- **Charter Rate Calculator:** Interactive calculator for vessel charter rates. Worldscale system, flat rates, and example calculations for West Africa routes. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/charter-rate-calculator

### Security
- **West Africa Port Security:** ISPS Code compliance, Gulf of Guinea piracy trends, war risk premiums, insurance requirements, and security best practices. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/west-africa-port-security

### Supply Chain
- **Dangote Supply Chain Map:** Crude import routes, product export destinations, SPM terminal operations, Lomé hub, and domestic distribution. https://www.westafricacharter.com/education/dangote-supply-chain

## Market Data
- **Live Market Data:** Current charter rates, port congestion, Dangote production, OPEC+ quotas, and security status. Updated weekly. https://www.westafricacharter.com/market-data
- **Q3 2026 Market Report:** Quarterly market report with charter rate trends, port throughput, trade flows, and Q4 outlook. https://www.westafricacharter.com/market-reports/q3-2026

## Commercial Listings
- **Tankers Available in West Africa:** Current tanker availability for charter: VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, MR, LR1, LR2 tankers with specifications, routes, and same-day quotes. https://www.westafricacharter.com/tankers-available-west-africa