Maritime Agencies
PORT STATE CONTROL: Equatorial Guinea Joins Abuja MoU
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
November 23, 2023, Equatorial Guinea finally became a member of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in West and Central Africa, otherwise known as the Abuja MoU.
This makes the central African nation the 20th member-state of the group.
Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Capt Sunday Umoren disclosed this in Lagos while exchanging views with Falcon Watch Online.
“It means we have two countries in the region left now for all the countries to subscribe as full members. The outstanding countries are the Arab Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Namibia. These are the countries that are yet to sign up,” the Abuja MoU boss said.
At the occasion, Capt Umoren explained, the Vice President and Minister of Transportation of Equatorial Guinea were present as witnesses.
“Also present were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, the South African Ambassador and the Cameroonian Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. They were in attendance to celebrate a wonderful day, a great celebration for Equatorial Guinea.”
On the significance of Equatorial Guinea joining the Abuja MoU, Capt who referred to it as a great day said it will be celebrated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), other MoUs worldwide and the maritime world because with the addition, there is an increase in the number of countries whose ports are now part of the watch dog regarding the propagation and insistence on safety in navigation.
“The port state regime is actually a safety net such that no substandard ships can trade within the regions and around the world”.
“If in a region you have countries that are not full members or not acceding to become full members, it means those countries will not be conducting port state inspection of ships. Substandard ships can easily visit those ports and come out. What does that mean? It means a weak link.”
He stated that substandard ships trading could actually get involved in accidents and spillage and if they are carrying oil, the marine environment will be polluted.
“So, coming into the Abuja MoU means that we are tightening the noose around the region.”
He was optimistic that by the time the remaining two countries join, it means all countries in the West and Central African region have agreed and signed to monitor their waters and their countries to ensure that no substandard vessels are sailing within the system.
“So, everyone will be happy because the probability of substandard vessels slipping through will almost be nill. This means safer seas, safer world for all.”
He said his organization is still engaging the few countries left in the region.
“We are engaging them. We’re quite hopeful that by next year, we will have all the countries in the region subscribe and acceed to full membership of Abuja MoU.”
Port State Control is the inspection carried out on visiting foreign ships to verify their compliance with international instruments on safety, pollution prevention and seafarers’ working and living conditions. It is a means of enforcing compliance in cases where the owner and flag state have failed in their responsibility to implement or ensure compliance.
The Port State can require deficiencies to be put right and detain the ship for this purpose if necessary. It is therefore also a Port State’s defense against visiting substandard ships.
The Secretariat is established to develop a system of harmonized Port State Control Inspection Procedures for the region with the aim of eliminating substandard ships. In pursuit of a strategic direction and with consistent alignment with the context of the organization through a risk-based approach, the Abuja MoU Secretariat is committed to continuous improvement of its quality management system in line with the International Organization for Standardization requirements (ISO 9001:2015) and the IMO Resolution A.686 (17), 1991.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, generally referred to as the Abuja MoU, is one of the nine regional MoUs established pursuant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A. 682 (17) of 1991. The Organization operates under a cooperative agreement with the IMO.
The Abuja MoU was established in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 22, 1999 as an inter-governmental organization comprising the Maritime Administrations of countries abutting the South Atlantic coast of Africa.
The regime covers 22 countries from Mauritania to South Africa.16 of these countries signed the MoU to establish the organization.
Countries that have completed the procedures and have become full members are Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo Brazil, Cote D’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo. Others are Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea- Conakry, Liberia and Nigeria.
Others are Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo.
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.
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
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