Maritime Agencies
MAMAL 2025: Ogbeifun Salutes President Tinubu on the new Marine Ministry, Tasks MARAN To Follow Up Her Resolutions
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Engr Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starzs Investments Company Ltd has expressed excitement over the establishment of a separate ministry to superintend over and pay closer attention to the huge potentials in the Marine sector.
He was speaking in Lagos, Wednesday, at the third edition of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) annual lecture tagged ‘MAMAL 2025’. Recalling the consistent advocacy in this regard by him and other concerned stakeholders especially when he functioned as the pioneer President of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), he hailed President Tinubu for harkening to the voice of reason by establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Ogbeifun who chaired the event with the theme ‘Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade,’ gleefully announced his return from retirement following the creation of the new ministry to enable him continue his invaluable contributions to the sector.
Talking about war risk insurance premium on Nigeria’s maritime trade, he expressed deep concern about the absence of Nigerian-owned vessels among those visiting the ports and paying the controversial premium.
He queried: Where is the fleet representing Nigerian identity and interests in the comity of vessels that visit Nigerian ports?
”Let’s get up and be the ones carrying our cargoes globally in our own ships,” he insisted.
”We must take our destiny in our own hands, participate in shipping and be able to lend our voice in determining war risk insurance issues
.”
He cautioned that going forward, MAMAL and similar industry gatherings must not be mere talk shops. Serious resolutions and agreements adopted must be presented to government for consideration in moving the sector forward. MARAN should constitute an implementation team to follow up with the authorities on the measurable outcomes and this should be the fulcrum of discussions in the following year.
By next year when another edition of MAMAL would be hosted, he advised, MARAN should be able to present current statistics on the status of the war risk insurance issue on the nation’s maritime domain based on discussions and resolutions the previous year.
There should be collaboration with relevant organs of government and other stakeholders to effectively see what needs to be done to move to the next stage in discussing war risk insurance premium.
Also speaking at the occasion, Barrister Temisan Omatseye, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) expressed dissatisfaction that the Joint War Risk Committee in London is charging a zero point two five percent on every vessel that gets five degrees east of the Lagos harbour, which means that, anytime a vessel enters the area towards Delta, Port Harcourt or Bakassi, there is a fee being charged and that fee goes up to zero point six five percent whilst in Pakistan, where there is serious attacks, only zero point two five percent is charged.
The reason for this, according to him, is that Nigeria had lost her eyes “on the ball”.
For now, Omatseye noted, Nigeria is the centre of attractions to the world with the Dangote Refinery producing thousands of barrels of petroleum products daily. With the BUA Refinery, the upcoming one in Ogun State plus other modular refineries which would produce for exports purposes, Nigeria is going to be a net exporter of petroleum products to the world and there is the need to adequately find lasting solutions to the lingering issues of war risk insurance premium on Nigerian importers and exporters.
In his goodwill message, the current Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Deputy Director, Reformed Coordinator Deep Blue Economy, Mr Victor Iloh, commended MARAN for bringing the topical issue to the fore, as it has become a problem bothering on national security and trade policies.
He explained that Nigeria’s statutory geographical position in the Gulf of Guinea, exposes her to maritime insecurity driven by piracy, armed robbery attacks and geographical conflicts, leading to the imposition of war risk insurance premium.
Significant progress has however been made in securing the nation’s maritime domain with no recorded incident in the last four years which he noted, has been attributed to Nigeria’s integrated maritime security architecture, known as “The Deep Blue Project”, which was inaugurated in 2021 and the deployment of Maritime Assets on both land, sea, air and intelligence, to secure the Nigerian waters. This led to the enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and other related Maritime Offences “SPROMO Act” in 2019 and since 2020, two major convictions of pirates have been secured by the Federal High Court.
According to the NIMASA DG, Nigeria’s maritime security safety led to her being de-listed by the International Maritime Bureau from the list of piracy- prone zones in 2021 and the commendations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) re – enforced the achievements.
He also stated that the IMB Forum removed Nigeria’s name as a high risk maritime zone in 2023 while constant collaboration with other maritime regional bodies had contributed significantly towards reducing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea waters.
Despite all these recorded milestones of improved maritime security, he stated, the impact of war risk premium on the Nigerian economy has continued to be enormous.
” It sounded regrettable that Nigerian Importers and Exporters have paid over five billion dollars worth of war risk insurance premium over the last three years.”
He placed on record that in addressing the problem, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola and the Management of NIMASA had held diplomatic and stakeholders engagement with the Chattam House, FIMCO and other developments partners such as the Danish Government and the IMO towards discussing the strategic milestones recorded by Nigeria in driving maritime security and the need to leverage on those to remove the war risk insurance premium on Nigeria-bound cargoes.
While these engagements are still ongoing, the main focus is still on sustaining the recorded milestones.
The NIMASA boss said the call for the removal of war risk insurance premium is a collective action that must not be left for the government alone. All relevant stakeholders must be prepared to enhance their ability to understand the security threats as that would protect seafarers and promote safe and secure maritime operations.
Continuous engagement is the way to go, Dr Mobereola advised, until the much- desired results are achieved. He commended MARAN and the esteemed participants for such a great event which is hosted to discuss a major contributor to the high cost of goods which end up in individual homes.
Other goodwill messages came from the Executive Secretary of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, Captain Sunday Umoren and the President of the African Shipowners Association, Captain Adebowale others.
In his remarks, Frank Ogunojemite, President, African Association of Professional Licenced Agents, dwelt on the continuous surcharge of seven percent on cargoes at the ports and asked the Minister’s representative, Dr Bolaji Akinola to convey his concerns.
Maritime Agencies
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), the company in charge of security surveillance over oil and gas installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is in collaboration with Textron Systems Corporation, a United States–based defence and aerospace company, to supply her three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TSSNL owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) disclosed the business deal in her website publication of December 29, 2025. The drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without runways, utilising hybrid quadrotor technology that enables vertical takeoff and landing, as well as fixed-wing flight.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS, Textron Systems says, is a mature, industry-proven autonomous platform known for its high reliability and operational flexibility. Its dual-mode capability allows it to operate seamlessly in complex and high-risk environments, making it well-suited for security operations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Giving further insight into the contract, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the deployment would significantly enhance Tantita’s operational capability.
”The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a proven solution that will enable Tantita Security Services to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity,” he stated.
The Aerosonde platform has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments, underscoring its reliability and performance.
Tantita Security Services is expected to deploy the systems to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical oil and gas assets across Nigeria.
The contract also includes options for operator training and the supply of additional aircraft to support future capability expansion. Textron Systems noted that the agreement builds on a previous Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to Nigeria, further highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian security operations.
Textron Systems is a global leader in uncrewed air, land and sea systems, with the Aerosonde family of UAS currently supporting international customers and operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. The company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a diversified multinational with interests spanning aviation, defence, industrial manufacturing and finance.
With multiple payload configurations and comprehensive training and support services, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS offers a versatile and efficient solution for security operations in demanding environments, reinforcing Tantita Security Services’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure.
Maritime Agencies
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate a brand new year, the pioneer maritime journalists’ group, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), has implored the entire business community, especially maritime industry stakeholders, to join the association afresh in advancing the cause of the industry to ensure more impact and relevance in the national economy in the new year and beyond.
In a New Year message, MARAN Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele described 2026 as a “year of greater impact,” stressing the need for improved service delivery and more robust maritime reportage to support national development.
According to him, the collective efforts of stakeholders in the outgoing year contributed positively to the growth of the maritime sector, urging all parties to sustain the spirit of unity and collaboration in the new year.
“United, we can make Nigeria proud by contributing our quota to national development, each from our own little corner,” the MARAN chairman said.
Ayodele reaffirmed MARAN’s readiness to collaborate with organisations and institutions across the maritime value chain, noting that such partnerships are crucial to making Nigeria’s maritime space one that is admired and celebrated.
He expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended to the association throughout 2025 and called for renewed commitment in the year ahead.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support in 2025. Let us do it again in 2026,” he added.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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Customs3 weeks agoNSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
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Customs3 weeks agoTincan Customs Achieves N51.8Bn Surplus Above 2025 Revenue Target
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoOIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.