By: Joy Enamuna

The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SERC) and the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) have called for drastic measures to unlock the untapped potential of Nigeria’s maritime industry, emphasizing the need to address persistent challenges and foster growth in 2024 and beyond.

In a recent statement, SERC highlighted the significant contributions of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a leading indigenous security solutions provider that specializes in protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure from crude oil theft—a major issue for the industry.

The Centre urged stakeholders to acknowledge TSSNL’s efforts in securing these vital resources, which are crucial to the nation’s economic stability.

While SERC acknowledged that Nigeria’s maritime industry has the fundamentals to drive growth, it noted several areas that still require urgent attention, particularly in shipping, which remains plagued by challenges. Despite potential for investment, issues such as piracy, sea robbery, and illegal bunkering continue to hinder progress.

Additionally, the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has faced criticism for its lack of impactful interventions and its focus on acquiring properties rather than addressing critical sectoral needs.

MARAN has consistently raised concerns about the industry’s issues, including the rising dominance of foreign interests in Nigeria’s fishing trawler businesses, which has led to a reliance on imported seafood despite the country’s vast coastline.

The association has stressed that urgent reforms are needed to preserve local industries and promote sustainable growth.

SERC’s New Year Bulletin, titled Critical Review of the Nigeria Maritime Industry (Performances and Issues) in 2024, outlined several critical insights.

The Centre stressed that with the right investments, policies, and regulatory reforms, Nigeria’s maritime sector can play a pivotal role in the country’s economic development and integration into the global market.

The bulletin also reviewed Nigeria’s international maritime ranking, noting that the country’s shipping fleet is ranked 48th globally, contributing just 1.6 million tonnes to the world’s merchant shipping fleet. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s ports are ranked 183rd out of 185 countries in terms of efficiency, reflecting widespread issues such as delays in import/export processes, unofficial charges, and security concerns.

SERC’s analysis concluded that addressing these systemic problems is essential for improving Nigeria’s global maritime standing.

The Centre recommended that the government focus on creating a more favorable business environment, stabilizing the foreign exchange rate, and implementing reforms to improve port efficiency.

In its review of the regulatory framework, SERC noted that while legislation such as the NIMASA Act, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, and the Merchant Shipping Act have shaped the sector, more action is needed to address the challenges facing the industry.

The Centre also observed a decline in port throughput and ship calls compared to the previous year, underscoring the need for urgent action to revitalize the sector.

As the industry faces these significant hurdles, both SERC and MARAN are calling on the government and maritime stakeholders to prioritize reforms, ensure accountability, and work collaboratively to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime industry in the year ahead.