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Tag: Maritime industry

  • Maritime stakeholders urge caution over proposed review of cargo survey contracts

    Maritime stakeholders urge caution over proposed review of cargo survey contracts

    Stakeholders in the maritime industry have urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to exercise caution in its reported plan to review Cargo Survey (CS) contracts awarded in 2019 for a 10-year duration.

    The contracts, which have been in operation for over five years, are scheduled to expire in 2029.

    In a letter dated September 2025, NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, said the planned review was aimed at enhancing operational needs and efficiency.

    Representatives of the industry, under the aegis of the Maritime Integrity Movement, appealed for broader consultation with affected companies before any major changes are implemented.

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    Convener of the group, Lucky Abegunde, said the NPA should ensure that all actions related to the contracts align with due process and the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

    He noted that maintaining transparency and fairness in procurement procedures would help strengthen investor confidence and prevent disruptions in port operations.

    The group further advised that any review of the contracts should be handled in a way that protects government interests while sustaining efficiency within the maritime sector.

  • Maritime industry to contribute $44b to GDP yearly

    Maritime industry to contribute $44b to GDP yearly

    The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr Daniel Tamunodukobipi, has said the maritime industry has the potential to contribute $44billion  to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.

    Tamunodukobipi said to unlock the potential, there was a need for collective action to advance national maritime regulations.

    He spoke at the 13th Annual Conference of NIMENA in Port Harcourt yesterday, tagged: “Advancing National Maritime Regulations for Shared Prosperity”.

    He said: “The maritime industry is a cornerstone of global commerce, economic development, and international cooperation.

    “Recent statistics has revealed that the Nigerian maritime industry can contribute more than $44 billion annually to the GDP, underscoring its significance to our nation’s blue economy ambitions.

    “Its effective governance is essential to unlocking shared prosperity, not only within our nation but also across the global maritime community.

    “We must work together to advance national maritime regulations and unlock the industry’s potential.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Southsouth Steering Committee, George Okoroma, highlighted the importance of regulations in the maritime industry.

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    He said regulations were key to preventing accidents and ensuring the industry’s growth.

    He said: “”We must regulate engineering practices to prevent accidents and ensure the industry’s growth.”

    Also, the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, said the Cabotage Act was designed to promote local content and capacity building in the maritime industry.

    Abba, who was represented by his Assistant, Stephen Opara, emphasized the need to promote local content and capacity building in the maritime industry through the Cabotage Act.

    “The Act is designed to prevent foreign domination of our trade and encourage indigenous capacity building,” he said.

    Keynote speaker, Andrew Aligbe, said effective regulations were essential to unlocking the industry’s potential.

    “Maritime regulations are the backbone of a robust, sustainable, and inclusive maritime industry,” he said.

    The conference discussed innovative approaches to maritime safety compliance, technological advancements in naval architecture, and economic growth through maritime financing.