During the 2024 World Maritime Day Celebration, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy reiterated the country’s commitment to improving maritime safety as a cornerstone for national and global trade. The event happened at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where key individuals and industry players assembled around the theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First.” This assembly underscored the nation’s dedication to the marine industry, with a particular focus on the safety of seafarers, the development of infrastructure, and the preservation of the environment.
Michael Oloruntola, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, represented Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. In his speech, Oloruntola stressed the importance of the event as an opportunity to foster advancements and enhancements in maritime policies, emphasising the industry’s role in boosting the nation’s economic development. He emphasised that 2024 celebrates five decades since establishing the 1974 SOLAS Convention, a pivotal treaty ensuring the safety of commercial vessels globally. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to following international protocols, especially those outlined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) while discussing the nation’s current initiatives to align its regulatory systems with global standards.
Ports will be modernised with major investments for efficiency.
Furthermore, the administration led by President Bola Tinubu is focusing on modernising ports through significant investments to enhance efficiency, cut operational expenses, and boost safety measures. The push for modernisation extends beyond the realm of government alone. Oyetola stressed the significance of partnering with the Private Sector to achieve international benchmarks within the sector. He addressed the necessity of advanced Infrastructure to enhance the nation’s marine activities and enable it to compete globally. Abubakar Dantsoho, who heads the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), underscored the necessity of safety and Sustainability being at the forefront of its future activities.
He pointed out the dangers associated with Greenhouse gas Emissions (CNG), which constitute a significant part of worldwide emissions, emphasising the need to tackle the environmental and economic challenges these issues present for the region. Dantsoho’s remarks also highlighted the NPA’s initiatives to oversee and reduce emissions resulting from port operations. This emphasis on emissions aligns with the global trend toward ecological accountability. He elaborates that the NPA is formulating plans to assess and lessen the environmental effects of vessels, cargo operations, and associated services.
Emphasis was placed on incorporating digital tools within the industry.
Also, he stated that through emissions assessment, the NPA seeks to establish focused approaches for reduction while adhering to national and international regulations. Furthermore, he detailed the NPA’s initiatives to enhance port reception facilities to manage waste produced by vessels, including dangerous substances. This strategy is in line with preventing its activities from escalating marine pollution. Also, Dantsoho addressed the incorporation of digital tools within the industry, which is essential to the region’s plans for upgrading its ports. He highlighted using intelligent port solutions to enhance data handling and minimise overcrowded ports’ ecological footprint.
In conjunction with this, strategies such as slow steaming, which advocates for ships to lower their speed to conserve fuel, are encouraged to decrease emissions. The federal government’s dedication to a sustainable marine future extends beyond enhancing infrastructure; it also prioritises the growth of human resources. He emphasised the collaboration between the NPA and the Mission to Seafarers, which resulted in the establishment of a Seafarers’ Centre designed to promote the well-being and safety of these essential workers in the sector. This collaboration aims to foster a more secure and effective maritime landscape for Nigeria.
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Expanding on this theme, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), emphasised the changes in the sector. He pointed out that while the industry faces issues such as Environmental Sustainability and changing Trade patterns, these also create chances for expansion. Mobereola stressed the importance of safety in all activities and committed to implementing advanced safety technologies to comply with global standards. As the nation advances, the alignment among safety, sustainability, and Innovation will be essential for navigating the future of its maritime industry.