Maritime Agencies
SPEEDY TRIAL OF CASES: Stakeholders At MASPAN/AMANO Summit Caution NDLEA, Other Agencies.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and similar regulatory bodies have been asked to change their investigative tactics, speed up and desist from unduly dragging investigations into cases of drugs found on vessels. Delay, it is argued, places at a huge disadvantage ship crew, shipowners and importers aboard vessels suspected to carry drugs and other illicit substances especially when, at the end of the day, they are found not culpable for such transactions.
Interventions by shipping experts unanimously pointed this way in Lagos,Thursday, when shipping and security stakeholders converged at the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron (AMANO) summit to discuss “Drugs & Human Smuggling/Trafficking: The Evolving Maritime Security Threats To Ships Seafarers”.
They observed that shipowners lose millions of dollars to vessel delays, legal costs, crew salaries and inconveniences including additional costs on their families during delayed investigation of drug trafficking suspicions.
Several shipowners, the experts observed, have gone into depression and bankruptcy as they battle loss of business opportunities and other inconveniences.
Speaking at the event, Capt Suresh Prabhakar, Director, Operations, Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd, Hong Kong, deplored a situation where the regulatory agencies would detain ships for a long period of time, spend months on investigation only to discover later that the crew, shipowners and even importers do not have a hand in the transactions.
“From February 2021 to July 2024,” he pointed out, “there were 4 bulk carriers laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, to Lagos where cocaine of quantities varying from 18 to 43 kilograms were discovered onboard each ship by the NDLEA.”
“During the course of the investigations, each ship was delayed for between 4 to 6 months and allowed to sail after owners posted bonds ranging from $2 million to $5 million.”
“On each ship about half the crew members, which is about 10 crew per ship, were detained. The bail amount posted per crew member to allow them to reside in a hotel rather than in a detention facility was $40,000, which totals to $400,000 for 10 crew.
“On two ships, after multiple court hearings crew were released after being detained for about 20 months each. The other two ships’ crew are still under detention in Lagos whilst court hearings are ongoing. The crew have been in Lagos for 34 months and 13 months respectively.
“Such incidents cost ship owners huge amounts of money in lost revenue by way of vessel delays, legal costs, crew salaries, family upkeep and the like. Additionally, when crew members are subjected to such treatment, most responsible owners expend a lot of time and effort in trying to secure their release.”
Cases such as these, he explained, place the shipowner at a disadvantage, adversely impacting his ability to engage in such trades and maintaining business on productive routes.
Prabhakar asked regulatory agencies to be proactive always. Shipowners should be informed when it is proved that the crew aboard a ship are involved in the drug trafficking. He maintained that the shipowners would be ready and willing to hand over the suspects to the authorities, rather than detain the ship indefinitely with other innocent crew members.
“But unfortunately in some countries like here (Nigeria), the NDLEA have been detaining ships for long periods of time, crews for long periods of time and then they have sort of been put through a lot of mental and physical stress. And then many of them don’t want to come back to sea again as a career” he regretted.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, condemned the current level of security threat in the maritime sector, particularly as concerns illicit drugs and human trafficking.
He spoke through Heaky Dimowo, the Director, Marine Environment Management, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
“These activities are not merely criminal act, they erode our social fabric, destabilize communities and challenge our law enforcement at sea,” the Minister said.
“Moreover, they pose significant risk to the Maritime and Security of seafarers and vessels. Today we must confront the fact that our waters are increasingly viewed as transit route to illicit activities.”
The minister maintained that it was essential that Nigeria developed comprehensive strategies to address these evolving threats by leveraging on technical innovations, enhancing intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration among critical stakeholders.
“Together, we can develop multifaceted responses that effectively combat these challenges” he concluded.
“On each ship about half the crew members, which is about 10 crew per ship were detained. The bail amount posted per crew member to allow them to reside in a hotel rather than in a detention facility was $40,000, which totals to $400,000 for 10 crew.
“On two ships, after multiple court hearings crew were released after being detained for about 20 months each. The other two ships’ crew are still under detention in Lagos whilst court hearings are ongoing. The crew have been in Lagos for 34 months and 13 months respectively.
“Such incidents cost ship owners huge amounts of money in lost revenue by way of vessel delays, legal costs, crew salaries, family upkeep and the like. Additionally, when crew members are subjected to such treatment, most responsible owners expend a lot of time and effort in trying to secure their release.”
He said cases such as these, adversely impact the ability of shipowners to engage in such trades and several owners and operators are forced to choose alternative trade routes.
Prabhakar appealed to relevant agencies of government, especially the NDLEA to always inform the shipowners once they are sure that the crew are involved in the drug trafficking incident. He maintained that the shipowners would be ready and willing to hand over the suspects to the authories, rather than have the ship detained with other innocent crew members detained, insisting that in 99.99% of the cases there is zero crew members involved.
“But unfortunately in some countries like here, the NDLEA have been detaining ships for long periods of time, crews for long periods of time and then they have sort of been put through a lot of mental and physical stress. And then many of them don’t want to come back to sea again as a career” he disclosed.
Speaking, the Summit Chairman, Emmanuel Maiguwa said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) sees West Africa as a transit region for narcotics mostly emanating from South America, a development that gave filip to the summit.
“With recent incidents involving merchant ships (excluding cases of drugs concealed in cargo containers) from South America to Nigeria rising to about four within the last two years, this maritime corridor proves to be providing mobility for this illicit activity.
He informed that on the issue of human trafficking, records from Africa Risk Compliance (ARC) show a significant number of incidents where stowaways have been discovered on ships calling Nigerian ports.
While Nigeria may not present specific records linking stowaways to drug smuggling operations, he continued, it is of great concern that drug traffickers could potentially collaborate with stowaway networks. This partnership could lead to a coordinated effort to use stowaways as couriers, moving drugs from West Africa to Europe.
“Both MASPAN and AMANO express strong support for the fight against all forms of trafficking and smuggling, including drugs and humans; we are mainly focused on addressing responses to these crimes as they occur within the maritime corridor.
“We aim to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are apprehended and fully punished by the law without subjecting the innocent to unnecessary difficulties that are counterproductive to the growth of shipping” he added.
Maritime Agencies
Nigeria Canvasses Regional Co-operation, Investment Drive at Liberia Fisheries Summit.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
H. E. Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, is pushing for stronger regional co-operation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa.
According to a release by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Communications, the Minister made the call in Monrovia, Liberia, Monday, while speaking at the National Fisheries Investment Conference, March 30 to 31, 2026. The conference which was declared open by Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, was attended by Ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the West African subregion.
Describing the gathering as timely, Oyetola said it provided an important platform to unlock opportunities in fisheries and the wider blue economy. “This Conference comes at a critical time for our region,” he said, noting that the sector remains central to food security, employment and economic growth.
According to him, millions of people across West and Central Africa depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein. However, he warned that the sector continues to face serious challenges.
“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges,” he said, citing declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.
Dr. Oyetola emphasised that addressing these challenges requires a clear focus on sustainability, investment and regional collaboration. He stressed that without proper management of marine and inland resources, long-term gains would be impossible.
“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed… without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he stated.
He said the the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of the blue economy. He explained that policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulation are already delivering results, including continued access to international markets for shrimp exports.
He also highlighted broader reforms in Nigeria’s blue economy, including actions to tackle marine pollution, improve port infrastructure and enhance maritime security. According to him, the country’s recent record of zero piracy incidents has helped improve investor confidence in the Gulf of Guinea.
On investment, the minister called for greater funding across the entire fisheries value chain including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export development. He noted that with the right policies in place, the sector could generate jobs, particularly for young people, and contribute significantly to economic growth.
He also underscored the importance of regional co-operation, pointing out that fish stocks cut across national boundaries.
“No single country can tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing alone,” he said, adding that stronger collaboration through regional bodies such as the FCWC is essential.
In his role as Chairman of the FCWC Ministerial Committee, Oyetola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening joint efforts in fisheries governance. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a regional record of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols and information-sharing systems aimed at improving enforcement and sustainability.
The minister further noted that the FCWC is working to harmonise fisheries policies among member states and promote trade within the region, with the goal of improving value chains and attracting investment.
Maritime Agencies
PORTS MODERNIZATION, NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW TO TACKLE PORTS CHALLENGES, Says NPA MD.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has, once again, reiterated plans to revolutionize the nation’s ports system with the implementation of the National Single Window Project and Ports Modernisation system.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this during an interactive session with maritime journalists in Lagos.
Represented by Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the Agency, the MD said the modernisation project will cover all seaports ports nationwide. However, the project is set to kick off in Lagos ports with a significant investment of $700 million from the Federal Government.
He allayed concerns being expressed in some quarters that the eastern ports are excluded from the 746 million pounds ports modernization deal signed in the UK recently, assuring that the deal would involve ports nationwide on phases. He stated contrary to opinions being canvassed and fears being expressed on the fate of other ports, the case of Apapa and Tincan ports is understandable because ports business is international and the customer decides where his cargoes go. NPA is merely an umpire; the port users’ interests and preferences remain paramount.
The ports modernization process is expected to tackle pressing issues such as port congestion and delays in cargo clearance which have long plagued the sector.
According to Dantsoho, the NPA is also working to improve logistics, including rail transportation from APMT terminal and alternative cargo transport options.
The NPA is reviewing the Efficiency, Throughput, and Optimization (ETO) initiative put in place to address logistics chain challenges in the country’s port system. The review, Dantsoho assured, would yield a more effective implementation plan with provisions to ensure the ETO works seamlessly.
”When we were doing the dredging, the ports in the East were also carried along,” he said.
Government investments are focused on areas with returns on investment which is why Lagos is the starting point.
The NPA MD expressed optimism that the agency’s vision for the ports industry would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
He urged the media to play a proactive role in monitoring societal developments, emphasizing the importance of a free and vibrant press in driving progress and accountability.
”The media has been advised to be creative and step up its role as watchdog of the society,” he concluded.
Maritime Agencies
Oyetola Welcomes EU Delegation, Urges Stronger Role Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Crimes in the GoG.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A call has gone out for deeper collaboration with the European Union (EU) to address emerging maritime threats, particularly illegal fishing, trafficking and environmental crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the call in Abuja,Thursday, while receiving a delegation from the EU Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project. Evolving security challenges in the region, Oyetola emphasized, require a broader, more integrated and sustained response anchored on strong international partnerships.
According to a press release by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Communications, the delegation led by Ms Stéphanie Vergniault, is in Nigeria as part of an independent assessment of the EU-funded initiative, which supports maritime coordination and information sharing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr. Oyetola reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, describing it as a vital platform for regional cooperation, collective response and intelligence exchange. He noted that EU-backed interventions such as GoGIN II have played an important role in strengthening this framework, particularly by enhancing maritime domain awareness and facilitating closer collaboration among national and regional agencies.
The Minister acknowledged the impact of the YARIS information-sharing system in improving coordination among maritime stakeholders, while stressing the need to sustain and optimise its operational use. He also highlighted the importance of improving interoperability between regional centres and national institutions, alongside continued capacity building and technical support.
Pointing to Nigeria’s own efforts, the Minister cited the success of the Deep Blue Project, which has contributed to a significant reduction in piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea in recent years. The progress recorded, he said, demonstrates the effectiveness of combining national ownership with regional and international support.
As the GoGIN II programme nears completion, the Minister urged stakeholders to focus on consolidating its achievements and ensuring long-term sustainability through stronger regional ownership mechanisms. He stressed that maintaining the gains recorded would be critical to securing the maritime domain and supporting economic activities across the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, Ms Vergniault explained that the evaluation seeks to assess the programme’s performance, operational results and sustainability, while identifying lessons that could shape future maritime security initiatives. She noted that the mission, which also includes Captain Alioune Diop, is engaging key stakeholders in Nigeria to gather operational feedback on the use of the YARIS platform, the programme’s contribution to coordination under the Yaoundé Architecture, and the prevailing challenges in the maritime sector.
Nigeria Canvasses Regional Co-operation, Investment Drive at Liberia Fisheries Summit.
PORTS MODERNIZATION, NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW TO TACKLE PORTS CHALLENGES, Says NPA MD.
Oyetola Welcomes EU Delegation, Urges Stronger Role Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Crimes in the GoG.
Maritime Journalists’ Group, MARAN, Set To Honour Her Past Leaders.
Tincan Customs Posts Over N120.4bn in February, 2026, A Huge Leap Above the February 2025 Records.
TRADE FACILITATION: FG Unveils National Single Window To Encourage Coordinated and Technology-Driven Trade System.
NIMASA Collaborates With KAIPTC To Empower West African Women For Digital Participation In Maritime Sector.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 2026: NIMASA Commits To Women Inclusion in Maritime Sector.
Apapa Customs Hits Smugglers Hard After CGC’s Visit, Intercepts ₦3.398 Billion Codeine Syrup In 5 Days.
MAN, Oron, Pushes Actualization of Her Mandate Beyond Nigeria, Seeks Strategic Partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOUBLE CAPTAIN!
NPA’s 2025 Operational Performance Report Validates FG’s Economic Diversification Initiatives.
Dedication To Service Earns NIWA’s Engr Sarat Braimah the Nelson Mandela Pan African Leadership Award.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Tantita Security Donates Command Centre, Vehicles to Boost NSCDC Operations.
SEME CUSTOMS HITS N3.4Bn IN FEBRUARY FOLLOWING A SURGE IN EXPORT OF AGRO PRODUCTS.
”NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW WILL CUT CARGO CLEARANCE TIME BY 75%,” NAGAFF President, Tochukwu Ezisi says.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
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APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
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Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
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HALF YEAR, 2024: Apapa Customs Nets ₦1.024 Trillion, Records 143% Increase.
JANUARY-MAY REPORT: Seme Customs Hits N2.6bn, Facilitates ₦35.1bn Exports.
INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo
Mama Theresa Enisuoh Due For Burial April 27
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoApapa Customs Hits Smugglers Hard After CGC’s Visit, Intercepts ₦3.398 Billion Codeine Syrup In 5 Days.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoMAN, Oron, Pushes Actualization of Her Mandate Beyond Nigeria, Seeks Strategic Partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoINTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 2026: NIMASA Commits To Women Inclusion in Maritime Sector.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIMASA Collaborates With KAIPTC To Empower West African Women For Digital Participation In Maritime Sector.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoTincan Customs Posts Over N120.4bn in February, 2026, A Huge Leap Above the February 2025 Records.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoTRADE FACILITATION: FG Unveils National Single Window To Encourage Coordinated and Technology-Driven Trade System.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoOyetola Welcomes EU Delegation, Urges Stronger Role Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Crimes in the GoG.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoMaritime Journalists’ Group, MARAN, Set To Honour Her Past Leaders.