Maritime
NIMASA, XPO warn IOC, NOCs against discharge of waste into aquatic environment
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Offshore Pollution Control, XPO, Marine Services Limited, have warned oil companies and shipping firms against indiscriminate discharge of wastes into the rivers and oceans, stating that discharging of wastes into river would no longer be tolerated. This was as NIMASA handed over 10 years contract of waste management on the Eastern waterways to its concessionaire, XPO Marine, in an agreement which for every revenue XPO marine makes in the collection of waste, the company would keep 60%, while 20% would go to the Federal Government and 20% to NIMASA. Speaking at a brief event to mark the commencement of the project in Port Harcourt, Managing Director, XPO, Wellington Agharese, noted that Nigeria is a signatory to the MARPOL convention, adding that waste management on the nation’s waterways has been a challenge.
Agharese noted that the commencement of the contract would restore sanity on the nation’s waterways, warning firms to ensure strict compliance to proper management of wastes from their facilities. He said “but the Federal Government is taking a bold step to collect all the waste that are generated from ships and other platforms operated by IOCs and NOCs, so that these wastes can be treated in an acceptable manner and disposed of according to MARPOL convention (to be disposed ashore). So, we take the waste, document, treat, dispose it and ultimately issue a disposal certificate of every waste that is disposed. This is a clarion call to the shipping, maritime, IOCs and NOCs community that they no longer throw waste away on the waters or ashore. Now the waste has to be treated according to MARPOL convention by meeting the offshore reception facility requirement – that XPO will do in collaboration with NIMASA to implement.
“Discharge of waste into the aquatic environment is no longer acceptable. It has never been acceptable but now it is going to be enforced. Whether the IOCs, NOCs and shipping community, nobody is allowed to discharge waste in the sea. However, Kabiru Diso, the Deputy Director/Head Public Private Partnership Unit, NIMASA, said the agreement and the contract would bring to an end the menace of dumping of wastes on the aquatic environment. He said “this partnership with XPO Marine will help us to address the major challenges in our waters. It will ensure that our waters are no longer a dumping ground of all kinds of wastes generated from the ships and other installations on Nigeria’s waters. This innovation will ensure timely collection of all the wastes generated from ships, barges and other platforms operating on our waters in total compliance with the MARPOL extant regulations and conventions. The concessionaire is to ensure that ships and platform comply to MARPOL 73/78 as amended and in line with global best practice. The positive impact of what we are starting today is going to be tremendous – not only for the marine environment but will support the economic growth of the country.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed confidence that the Maritime Labour E-Platform would boost the sector’s competitiveness as it hosted a workshop to sensitize users of the portal through practical demonstrations and interactive sessions. Held in Lagos, the workshop practicalized the process of registering, verifying and issuing identity cards to seafarers and dockworkers via the NIMASA portal (@nimasa.gov.ng). Practical support measures, including training, cybersecurity and planning a phased rollout to ensure smooth adoption, were also discussed.
Speaking at the event, the NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba stressed the importance of the digital platform to achieving global competitiveness, stating that “our digital transformation is underway. This year we launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, building on our 2022 dockworkers registration success.
It is a modern, integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers, and other stakeholders.” Represented by the Director, Maritime Labour Services Department, Mr. Ibrahim Umar Sidi, the Executive Director further noted that “by centralizing registration and issuing secure biometric ID cards, it cuts paperwork, speeds up processing, and gives us reliable real-time data. This helps us meet our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention and boosts Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global Blue Economy.”
He also emphasized that the actualization of the digital platform was in line with the Agency’s statutory obligations, stating that, “This initiative directly fulfils our mandate under Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007, which charges us with the duty to document and maintain a register of every maritime worker and operator. It also aligns with our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, often called the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights for promoting fair working conditions, health protections, and social security.
In its efforts to build a smarter, more transparent, and efficient maritime sector, the Federal Government launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, during an event in June marking the 2025 Day of the Seafarer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The platform, which is a digital solution designed to revolutionize the governance of maritime labour in Nigeria, was described by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola at the time as “a transformative tool for labour administration”.
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has noted that effective Port State Control (PSC) is one of the most potent tools of ensuring global safety and maintenance of environmental standards in shipping.
Dr. Mobereola who said this at a 5-day Regional Train the Trainer Workshop on Port State Control (PSC) for Member States of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), further emphasized that the quality of the professionals who implement PSC determines its overall success. Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the DG described the workshop as a reflection of Africa’s shared commitment to safer, cleaner, and more efficient shipping.
“Your presence here demonstrates our collective resolve to strengthen efficient maritime governance, improve safety standards, and enhance environmental protection across West and Central Africa,” he said. The DG commended the IMO, the Abuja MoU Secretariat, and all technical partners for their continued support towards capacity-building, regional cooperation, and the promotion of maritime safety in Africa.
Delivering a goodwill message, the representative of the IMO, Captain Ahmed Sewelam, reaffirmed the Organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting Member States through its technical cooperation programme to strengthen effective and harmonized Port State Control regimes globally. “Effective regional cooperation and harmonized PSC practices are essential to eliminate substandard shipping and promote consistency across the region,” Captain Sewelam said. He said that the workshop provides a unique platform for delegates to strengthen their collective capacity as Port States, while discussing key elements such as inspection procedures, reporting, and strategies for improved performance noting that “together, we can strengthen Port State Control implementation and advance maritime safety and sustainability in the region”.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, reiterated that capacity building remains a top priority of the Abuja MoU. He noted that effective Flag State control directly influences the quality of Port State Control operations, emphasizing the importance of strong national systems. “We must continue to build capacity, strengthen cooperation, and share experiences to ensure that our region maintains high standards of maritime safety and compliance,” he said.
The Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Port State Control under the Abuja MoU represents another milestone in NIMASA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety, promote environmental protection, and consolidate Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing regional maritime development. The workshop, which is being held in Lagos, has brought together delegates from 22 countries across West and Central Africa to deepen capacity, harmonize standards, and strengthen maritime safety oversight across the region.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced on Monday that about 20 ships laden with food items, petroleum products, and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos. In its shipping position for Monday, the authority disclosed that the ships will arrive in Lagos from November 10 to 12.
According to the NPA, out of the 20 expected ships, four contain crude oil, four contain petrol, three others are to arrive with aviation fuel, while the remaining nine ships are to arrive with diesel, gas oil, and different products.
The NPA also hinted that three ships had arrived at the ports and were waiting to berth with general cargo and bulk urea. Meanwhile, it says that 11 ships are currently at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk wheat, bulk sugar, containers, and bulk gas. NAN
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