Headlines
Surge in piracy in Gulf of Guinea costs West African nations $1.9 billion annually as $5m paid as random in 2020—-UN report

The newest hotspot for piracy saw 106 incidents in 2020 with 623 seafarers affected by kidnapping, according to the report, “Pirates of the Gulf of Guinea: A Cost Analysis for Coastal States.”
The report made together with the Stable Seas research group, said that most of the direct costs of the kidnappings and ship seizures would be borne by foreigners, with some $5 million paid last year for kidnappings of mostly non-African ship crew members.
But it said the countries along the Gulf of Guinea coast will pay far more than that to deal with the rise in piracy, from expanded patrols to rescue missions to greater security costs in ports.
The report estimates that those costs could be more than $1.9 billion annually, diverting important resources from other crucial needs.
“After considering indirect financial damages and opportunity costs, it becomes clear that Gulf of Guinea nations have the most to gain from reducing piracy and armed robbery in the region,” the report said.
“The frequency and violence of these attacks have preoccupied navies that could be addressing other maritime security threats, discouraged foreign investment, weakened state control of coastal and offshore areas, slowed the development of the blue economy, emboldened illicit traders and illegal fishers, and terrorized seafarer communities,” it said.
“This has exacted a financial and human cost to the Gulf of Guinea states that, to this point, has been seen as secondary to the costs borne by multinational shipping companies and non-African entities.”
The report was released nearly two weeks after a Danish naval patrol killed four pirates in an exchange of fire off the coast of Nigeria in the piracy hotspot.
Anniken Huitfeldt, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs, told officials at the United Nations Tuesday that the number of attacks had declined this year, possibly due to an increase in international patrolling and the Nigerian Deep Blue Project, a maritime security project.
However, she said, “We have seen more brutal attacks where a larger number of seafarers have been kidnapped.”
Headlines
MARAN convokes national discourse on resurgence of maritime crimes in Gulf of Guinea

Customs
Adeniyi, CGC, makes refresher course mandatory for officers ,matches them out on 5- kilometer fitness exercise in Abuja

Headlines
NIMASA set to open Lokoja office to harness waterways resources

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has disclosed that the Agency is set to reopen the Lokoja office, as part of efforts towards harnessing the Blue Economy, enhancing collaboration, while also promoting Research and Development.
The DG, who made this known when he played host to the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Mal. Usman Hayatu Mazadu at the head office of the Agency in Lagos, noted that investment in research would play a major role in ensuring the harnessing of Nigeria’s maritime potentials.
“The key cardinal principle of opening the NIMASA Lokoja office is to improve on Research and Development.
He said, “Now, the Blue Economy has come to stay and very soon you will see the impact of what we have; in terms of the gains and benefits to grow our Gross Domestic Product while improving the well-being of our own Economy”.
Earlier in his remarks, Mallam Usman of KADSEMA lauded the Agency for the feat achieved so far, which cuts across the entire Nigeria.
-
Freight Monitor1 month ago
Freight Forwarders threaten to shut down ports over alarming rate of extortions by maritime police.
-
Headlines3 months ago
Mass retirement hits Army, Navy, Air Force as Defence Headquarters issues quit notice to senior officers
-
Customs3 weeks ago
Shake-up in Customs as Apapa, Tin Can, Seme, KLT commands get new Area Controllers
-
Headlines3 months ago
NPA, Shippers’ Council on collision course over dollarisation of barge operations
-
Headlines4 weeks ago
Too many people are after my job in NIMASA—-Jamoh cries out, explains reasons for malicious campaign against him
-
Headlines2 months ago
Fuel price rises as NNPCL adjusts pump price to N568 in Lagos, N617 in Abuja