How To Start Boat Transportation Business In Nigeria

Boat transportation business is an aspect of transportation business that you can do to survive given the present economic landscape in Nigeria.

It is obvious that people cannot stop moving from one place to the other. As people’s movement continues, their property also moves.

Boat business is not limited to only human transportation, there is the transportation of goods and services via boat too.

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The boat transportation business is thus a thriving business in Nigeria. This is being aided by the natural potential, which is the sea, rivers, streams and other waterways.

Suitable Places To Run Boat Transportation Business in Nigeria

Perhaps you have been wondering where you can operate your boat transportation business in Nigeria. Actually, your business area is on the sea or river. You have to know areas in Nigeria where you can sail your boat on the sea or river and make money.

Doing this business in the northern part of the country may seem challenging, given the limited availability waterways.

However, there are chances for great successes if you do the business in the southern part of Nigeria, where there is a large availability of waterways.

So, you can do this business in Lagos State, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross Rivers, Ondo, Delta, Rivers State et cetera. It is good if you decide to work near the seaports.

I suggest Lagos for you, because of the availability of the Lagos Seaport. If you do not like Lagos, you can go to other riverine areas which have the potential of bringing you money.

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Structure of Boat Transportation Business in Nigeria: Avenues For Profits

You can operate this business in so many ways. You can focus on carrying people’s luggage, or any other object. This can be done if you are working in the rural or the urban area(s).

Supposing you choose to run your business in the urban area(s), I advise you to stay within the commercial centers where people plenty of goods and services to carry across the river, the sea or the ocean.

If it is the rural area you wish to do your boat transportation business, then, you need to stay where people engage in farming activities.

In this case, farmers will need your service, because they need to transport their business from the farm to the village.

Another mode of running your business is carrying people from one place to the other. This is the core-transportation aspect of the business.

If you get a big boat, you can even transport goods and services from one country to another. This often makes good returns on investment.

Types of Boat

Before you soak your money in this business, you need to know the types of boats that exist. The following are the list of boats which you can get depending on your capital and preferred mode of operation:

1. Flat-bottomed boat

2. luxury yacht

3. Tugboat

4. Skiff

5. Jon boat

6. Canoe

7. Steamboat etc.

Profitability Of The Boat Transportation Business in Nigeria

There are a lot of benefits in doing boat transportation business in Nigeria. These are some of the benefits of running boat transport business in Nigeria:

It is Highly Demanded

People in the sea area are in need of the sea transportation services. Some people need the service for fun. The boat that can speed faster on the water is good for fun seekers.

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It is A Highly Profitable Business

While you are carrying people’s loads, you may charge them any amount of money you want because they are in need of your service urgently. If you are consistent in the business, you will have a cause to keep smiling in front of the ATM machine in banks every week.

Independence/job security

If you decide to run a boat transportation business in Nigeria, there is job security for you. No one is your boss. You decide what to do and say at any moment of your life.

Fund/ Capital to Start

You can start this business with any amount you have. The capital you have will determine the kind of boat you wish to use for running this business.

If you do not have much money at the start, you can pay for the construction of a local wooden boat. But if you have enough money, simply purchase a brand-new boat that uses fuel.

The boat that uses fuel can function effectively than the wooden one you operate with your oar. For business sake, it is advisable to have a boat that uses fuel if you are operating in the city.

Technology Needed

Technology is the human friend in this modern world. It enhances the performance of any job that it is being used for.

To enhance your performance as a businessman in boat transportation, you can install a speed limit in your boat. You can also add a device that can help you locate any geographical location while on the sea.

Please, note that installation of technological devices can be done on the boat can use fuel, speed faster. We are not talking about the wooden boat in this case. This suggestion is good for canoe because boats that are better than this might come with technological aides.

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Level Of Competition and Opportunities In Boat Transportation Business

There are a lot of competition, benefits if you are running your business in the urban area. Many people focus their attention on the cities than the rural communities.

This is not a bad move in anyway. However, wherever you may operate your business from, notwithstanding, you need to treat your customers very well.

Part of the strategies you can use to keep customers is to make your charges cheaper than the other colleagues of yours.

In this case, you will get more profits swiftly because throngs of crowds will head towards your boat for patronage. Remember that Nigerians like ‘cheaper things.’

Business Registration

Before you can start operating on the sea in Nigeria, you need to get certificate or license by Nigerian Maritime Agency.

This should be preceded by Certification from the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC). It is at the CAC that you legally register your business with the Government of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There, you obtain your business name. You can find Nigerian Maritime Agency office in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as other states of the federation. These certifications will be your evidence for the permission to work on the sea in Nigeria.

Staffing

As a boat owner, you are the number one staff in your company. Yet, you need to employ the following to help out, as the business grows. These will form your staff.

1. A sailor

2. Deckhand

3. Cabin crew

4. Helmsman

5. Yachtsman

6. Get a sea dog

7. Steward etc.

Business Advertisement

If you are operating a big boat that travels far and wide, moving goods and services from one place to the other safely, you need to advertise your business for people to know that you should be the next person in their preference while sending goods and services across.

This advert should be done online in order to reach more audience. However, there is nothing wrong with engaging in meaningful offline advertisement efforts, especially with the aid of the mass media

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Summary

Boat business is very lucrative in Nigeria. If you want to do this business, please, have a bigger dream. You can focus on the transportation of goods and services that are meant to be imported to the country in the day or at night. But you need a sizeable capital to do this.  Get more business tips such as this here

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