Maritime Operations Expert, Ayoola Fadola, Analyzes COVID-19’s Disruption of Africa’s Trade

By Tosin Clegg

The COVID-19 pandemic tested global trade like never before, and Africa’s maritime sector was among the hardest hit. Ports slowed to a crawl, vessels remained idle, and supply chains stretched to breaking point. During this unprecedented disruption, Ayoola Fadola, a maritime operations expert, conducted research into the effects of COVID-19 on African ports and shipping corridors, providing critical insight into operational challenges, economic consequences, and pathways to resilience.

According to Fadola, the pandemic did not create vulnerabilities in Africa’s maritime trade; it exposed preexisting weaknesses. “Africa’s ports have been under pressure for decades,” he explained. “COVID-19 amplified operational gaps, logistical bottlenecks, and inefficiencies. What we saw was a system under stress, revealing both fragility and resilience.”

Fadola’s research focused on early 2020 through 2021, when lockdowns, border closures, and supply chain disruptions were at their peak. Using data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and national port authorities, he analyzed container ship calls, freight rates, throughput, and crew management across major African ports.

The findings were stark. UNCTAD reported a sharp decline in global container ship calls during the second quarter of 2020, with over 25 percent of ports worldwide experiencing significant reductions. Africa mirrored this trend. North African hubs such as Tanger-Med maintained operational efficiency through digital systems and coordinated management, while West and East African ports faced blank sailings, congestion, and bottlenecks. Freight rates surged, with West Africa posting the steepest increase, 243 percent, between August 2020 and August 2021, pushing costs onto importers and consumers and exacerbating inflation in already fragile economies.

Operational disruptions were compounded by human factors. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers were stranded on vessels due to travel restrictions and port closures, creating safety and mental health risks. “The human element cannot be overlooked,” Fadola noted. “Seafarers are essential to global trade, and their welfare directly affects operational continuity.”

In examining operational efficiency, Fadola examined regulatory adaptations. In Nigeria, exemptions for seafarers and dockworkers allowed ports such as Apapa and Tincan Island to maintain limited operations. “Flexibility was crucial,” Fadola said. “Ports that adapted quickly avoided total paralysis, while those without adaptive protocols suffered severe delays.”

Fadola’s findings offer guidance for policymakers and port authorities. Key recommendations include adopting digital infrastructure to track cargo, automate customs clearance, and coordinate operations. Crew management protocols, including contingency plans for extended vessel stays, are vital for maintaining human welfare and operational continuity. Flexible regulatory frameworks enabling essential port activities to continue during crises proved decisive.

“COVID-19 was a wake-up call,” Fadola stated. “It exposed vulnerabilities that were always there. Ports are not just cargo gateways; they are lifelines for national and regional economies. Their efficiency and adaptability determine the stability of trade networks. Learning from this crisis is not optional; it is essential.”

In conclusion, COVID-19 revealed both the vulnerabilities and resilience of Africa’s maritime operations. Through his analysis of port performance, crew management, and regulatory adaptability, Fadola demonstrates that operational efficiency, digitalization, and flexible governance are central to maintaining trade continuity. His findings underscore the urgent need for African ports to adopt advanced infrastructure, streamline their processes, and implement contingency measures for future disruptions.

Ayoola Fadola serves as a Legal Officer at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, focusing on enhancing operational efficiencies and resolving maritime operational disputes. Drawing on extensive experience in maritime regulatory compliance and operational oversight, Fadola integrates empirical data with practical insights to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, port authorities, and stakeholders across the shipping industry.