Maritime
NIMASA committed to clean offshore environment, deepens Blue Economy
Executive Director, Operations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engr. Fatai Adeyemi has reassured that the agency was committed to a clean offshore environment as the country seeks to maximise opportunities in the blue economy. Adeyemi stated this at a stakeholders’ sensitization program on Offshore Waste Reception Facilities with the theme “NIMASA’s Responsibilities and Statutory Obligation to Provide Offshore Waste Reception Facilities,” in Port Harcourt. According to him, the program underscores NIMASA’s unwavering commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and operational safety within Nigeria’s maritime sector. Engr Adeyemi noted that Nigeria’s offshore environment is vital to the nation’s economy, powering industries and creating livelihoods but was quick to add that the environmental challenges associated with offshore operations require immediate and sustained attention as it poses a grave threat to marine ecosystems, navigational safety, and public health.
“The objective of today’s program is to increase awareness and strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders—operators, regulators, service providers, and community representatives—to ensure that waste reception and disposal practices meet the highest environmental standards. By doing so, we are not only protecting our oceans but also aligning with global best practices and international maritime regulations. The responsibility to safeguard our marine environment rests on all of us, and through concerted action, we can achieve a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable offshore environment. I want to assure our stakeholders that on its part, NIMASA is committed to an enduring and Blue Economy that emphasizes conformity with international best practices as enshrined in the various laws and global best practices,” he stressed. Also speaking, NIMASA’S Director in charge of Marine Environment Management, Dimowo Heaky explained that the program represents a significant step in the collective journey towards preserving the health and resilience of the oceans and reinforces shared commitment to eliminating intentional pollution from the marine environment.
“Our mission is to equip every stakeholder with the knowledge, and best practices needed to ensure that harmful waste do not find their way into our waters. From oily residues and sewage to garbage and noxious liquids, every form of ship-borne waste poses a threat to marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and the global climate. By understanding the design, operation, and strategic placement of Offshore Waste Reception Facilities, we can transform policy into practice and compliance into culture.Let us remind ourselves that MARPOL is more than an international convention—it is a pact between humanity and the oceans that sustain us.”
The Managing Director/Chief Execitive Officet of XPO Marine, the Concessionaire for Eastern Region Offshore Waste Reception Facilities, Wellington Agharese underscored the region’s importance to Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas activities. According to him, “as the concessionaire entrusted with offshore waste management under the MARPOL Convention for Nigeria’s Eastern Region, the moment represents not just an operational mandate, but a collective commitment to safeguarding our marine environment while enabling sustainaqble offshore energy development. With that comes the responsibility to ensure that exploration and production do not compromise the health of our waters, our coastal communities, or our global reputation as a responsible energy-producing nation. We recognize that this responsibility cannot be carried out in isolation. Collaboration with regulators, IOCs, NOCs, and indigenous operators is critical. Together, we can establish a model of environmental compliance that rivals any in the world. By doing so, we also strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market, where environmental compliance is now a key determinant of investment and partnerships,” he summed up.
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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