Headlines

IMO expresses concerns as more seafarers come under attack in Russia- Ukraine war

Stranded seafarers

Alarmed by the escalation of the ongoing war in Ukraine in which many seafarers have become targets of the attack, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has said it will convene an extraordinary council session to address the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The move came as fear grows for the safety of seafarers trapped in the region and especially near Odesa, which analysts believe may be the target of an imminent amphibious and land assault.

This week has seen the first merchant ship sunk during the conflict and the first confirmed death of a seafarer killed by a missile attack while he was on watch aboard a ship anchored off Ukraine.

There is a long list of dangers for the IMO member states to discuss.

Ukraine closed its seaports effectively trapping merchant ships without the services such as tugs and harbor pilots to depart and straining the ability to the ships.

NATO has warned that the waters around Ukraine may well be mined while security analysts have urged ships capable of departing to move outside the newly declared “warlike area” in the northern Black Sea.

Equally concerning are the thousands of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers away from home working at sea as well as seafarers in the combat zone that will not be able to reach their jobs on ships.

After the Russian assault on Ukraine began on February 24, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said he was “gravely concerned about the spillover effects of the military action in Ukraine on global shipping.”

Then as the humanitarian crisis continued to unfold, Lim issued a statement saying “I fully support and stand with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for hostilities to cease immediately,” but the IMO like the UN can only comment and make resolutions for the safety of seafarers.

The IMO’s session will be held on March 10 and 11 as a remote session.

The council consists of 40 countries elected to represent the global maritime community but other nations including Ukraine will be able to submit statements to the IMO Council.

News of the session comes as an analysis by Bloomberg estimates that there are 140 vessels currently stranded in or near Ukrainian ports.

The German Shipowners’ Association estimated a similar number of around 100 cargo ships unable to depart from their ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Bloomberg calculates each of the large, ocean-going ships has an average of 20 crew members “implying well over 1,000 seafarers would be stuck.”

It is unclear if they also included the smaller, coastal and regional cargo ships, such as the Helt sunk yesterday with a crew of six aboard.

Estonian officials reported that all the ship’s crew was rescued.

The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), like many global organizations, condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, calling on Russia to protect merchant ships and seafarers.

President of the VDR Gaby Bornheim said “We demand that all ships and their crews be allowed to leave the conflict zone unharmed.

” Russia must respect the freedom of navigation. Uninvolved merchant vessels must not be attacked.”

Some countries and shipping companies have taken action.

There had been calls for Bangladesh to get its seafarers out of the war zone.

After the third engineer aboard the Banglar Samriddhi was killed in the missile attack on Wednesday, the country’s Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Shipping acted.

The 28 crew members and the body of the engineer were removed from the vessel, abandoning the ship, and taken to a safe location.

They were making arrangements to take the seafarers to Moldova or another neighboring country and to move them to Romania to repatriate them.

Related Topics:featured IMO worries over fate of Seafarers in Ukraine

Up Next

France seizes Russian oligarch’s yacht, detains multiple merchant ships

Don't Miss

Customs technical team in marathon meeting to unbundle VIN

Click to comment

Headlines

Edward Osagie, NIMASA spokesman, shines at 2025 National Spokespersons’ Awards in Abuja

–— emerges outstanding spokesperson in Marine and Blue Economy sector

Funso OLOJO

Edward Omoruyi Osagie, the deep and baritone voiced spokesman for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has been crowned as the most outstanding spokesperson in the Marine and Blue economy sector.

Osagie, with a benign mien, emerged the best in this category during the Award ceremony of the 2025 edition of the “National Spokespersons’ Awards(NSAwards) held on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 at Abuja Continental Hotel.

62 finalists were shortlisted for recognition across 21 competitive categories in this year’s edition of the competition.

Three spokespersons in the maritime industry participated in the final of the Award ceremony.

They included Edward Osagie, the Head of Pubic Relations Department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication Department of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) and Muyiwa Akande, Head of Public Relations unit of Sifax Group.

Osagie of NIMASA emerged a finalist in three categories which include Spokesperson of the year which happens to be the lead category, Outstanding spokesperson (crisis management – pubic sector) and Marine and Blue economy sector.

Olumuyiwa Akande also featured as a finalist in two categories such as Spokesperson of the year category and Marine and Blue Economy sector.

Onyemekara of NPA features as a finalist in the Marine and Blue economy sector.

However, at the final section, Osagie beat all the contestants in the Marine and Blue economy category to emerge a winner.

In other categories, the Head, Media and Publicity Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, a Deputy Commander of the EFCC, emerged Outstanding Federal Government Spokesperson of the Year, 2025.

Oyewale emerged winner in a highly competitive category that included Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA.

The Chairman of the award’s Adjudication Committee, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, while commending the nominees, emphasized that the selection process was rigorous and driven by merit.

Oyewale stood out for his infusion of finesse in strategic communication, skillful workmanship, impactful media engagements and consistency in the excellent projection of the EFCC’s image and in enhancing public understanding of the Commission’s mandate and activities.

Other winners from other categories include: Olufemi Soneye (NNPCL) as Distinguished Spokesperson of the Year (Oil and Gas), Nigerian Customs Service as Best Corporate Spokesperson Team, Kashifu Inuwa (NITDA) as Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons (Public Sector), Femi Babafemi (NDLEA) as Outstanding Spokesperson (Security Services).

Soneye (NNPCL) beat ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of Nigeria Police, Igo Weli-Shell Petroleum, Olumuyiwa Akande, SIFAX Group and Osagie Edward-NIMASA to emerge Spokesperson of the Year.

In his remarks, Joshua Audu Gana, Member House of Representatives congratulated the organizers for identifying and rewarding the outstanding communicators across various sectors.

He lauded the winners for their professionalism and devotion and urged them to continue to strive for excellence in the roles they play.

The Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, emphasized the need for institutions and organizations to involve spokespersons in policy formulation and decision-making processes, noting that spokespersons should be equipped with first-hand knowledge of key issues so as to enhance their effective and accurate public communication.

The National Spokespersons Awards is Nigeria’s foremost platform for celebration of excellence in public relations, strategic communication, and media management.

The award is an annual celebration of individuals and organizations that demonstrate professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.

Customs

Agricultural produce tops exports of 11,459 containers worth $986.4m through Apapa port in three months

Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion

The export initiative programme of the present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually gathering momentum as 11, 459 containers of export goods passed through Apapa ports in the first quarter of 2025.

This export goods were 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the corresponding period of 2024.

The export goods, facilitated by the Lilypond export command of the Nigeria Customs service, was worth a whooping sum of $986.4m.

This amount was 300 per cent higher than $236.087m total value of exports which passed through the command in the corresponding period of 2024.

These figures showed an increase of $750.357m representing over 318 percent improvement in value over the corresponding period of 2024.

Addressing the press in his office while giving account of the export activities in the first quarter of 2025, Area Controller of the Lilypond export terminal, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that agricultural products of 2723 containers valued at $596.887m topped the pack.

This was followed by manufactured goods of $134.649m, solid minerals of $87.498 m and other category of exports valued at $18.156m.

“On the volume of trade, the command handled a total of 11,459 containers in the first three months of 2025 which is 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the first quarter of 2024

“We classified the exports into four Agricultural products, manufactured products, solid minerals and others.

“Agricultural produce forms the highest with a total value of $596.887.111.51. This was followed by manufactured goods, which amounted to $329,915,256.,6, while solid minerals were 550,149,763.41. Others amounted to $9,488,166.26.

Agricultural produce for the first quarter of last year was $542,916.347.5,7 manufactured goods $134,649,364,25, solid minerals $87,498,802,44 and others $18,156,786.87.

“In the first quarter of 2025, our cumulative export value amounted to $986,440,397,78. This is more than 300 per cent higher than the $2.36,087,888.53 total value of exports through this command in the first quarter of 2024.

“Comparatively, this shows an increase of $750,352,509.25 representing over 318 per cent improvement in the value.”

Compt. Odusanya stated that the command recorded N7.13 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS).

He also disclosed that the command strengthened collaboration with exporters by operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.

“Under NESS, which is a statutory payment to the Federal Government on all legitimate goods exported from Nigeria, the command recorded N7,131,463,779.25.

“The Q1 2025 NESS is almost 0.9 per cent higher than the N7,067,351,977.1 recorded under the scheme through our command performance in the first three months of 2024.

“The NCS as a service and the command in particular cannot work in isolation.

” We have always maintained robust engagements with our critical stakeholders and worked strategically with sister government agencies like the NDLEA, SON, NAQS, Police, NAFDAC and others.”

“In addition to collaborating with sister government agencies, I have strengthened our relationship with exporters through operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.”

“I am pleased to announce that user experiences of the LEXC under my watch have continually improved with the prospects of attracting more exporters to the Command and thereby contribute in no small way, the federal government drive for economic diversification through Export.

“Some Nigerian Exporters were among those celebrated by the service three months ago during the formal launch of the authorized economic operator (AED) scheme. For us, this is a testament to the growth of export in the country, especially those using Lagos ports to ship out their goods,” Compt. Odusanya declared.

Headlines

Stakeholders caution Nigeria over currency swap deal with China

— as CBN lists gains of trade policy

Gloria Odion

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has described the Nigeria-China currency swap deal as a transformative policy instrument that could significantly reduce shipping costs, enhance trade efficiency, and ease foreign exchange pressure in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, stated that the agreement—originally signed in 2018 and recently renewed in December 2024—enables Nigerian and Chinese businesses to conduct trade directly in naira and renminbi, bypassing the U.S. dollar.

“The swap agreement simplifies the settlement of trade transactions in local currencies and reduces the pressure on Nigeria’s dollar reserves.

” This, in turn, lowers the cost of doing business and enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian trade,” Cardoso said.

The CBN Governor, who was represented by Mr Anthony Ogufere, Special Adviser to CBN Governor on Finance and Strategy, noted that China had become Nigeria’s largest trading partner by the end of 2024, accounting for about 35% of total imports and reaching a trade volume of $11.58 billion.

He added that the maritime sector, which handles the majority of Nigeria’s import and export activities, stands to benefit immensely through faster port clearance, improved trade finance instruments, and direct shipping links such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port—a Chinese-backed infrastructure project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

However, the CBN Governor acknowledged that several challenges still hinder the full potential of the currency swap framework.

Chief among them is Nigeria’s significant trade imbalance with China and the limited adoption of yuan-denominated transactions by Nigerian businesses.

He called for greater sensitization, policy coordination, and efforts to expand non-oil exports to China.

The CBN governor also acknowledged the fact that the currency swap deal is not yet popular among Nigerian business owners due to sparse sensitization and mobilisation of the business community.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Martins Olajide, a representative of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, presented a paper that offered a more cautious outlook.

He noted that while the swap deal provides short-term relief and smoother trade operations, it is not a sustainable solution to the naira’s persistent depreciation.

Describing the swap arrangement as “swapization,” Olajide warned that Nigeria’s economic vulnerability and dependence on imports—especially from China—undermines the true impact of the agreement.

He emphasized the need for structural reforms, particularly in industrialization, value addition, and local production.

“Without these changes, the swap deal may only reinforce economic dependence on China without solving the underlying issues,” he said.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event and Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council (CCC), Aare Akeem Olarenwaju, decried the volatility of the naira-dollar exchange rate as a major cause of the skyrocketing cost of goods in Nigeria.

He called for greater public awareness of alternative currency options like the Chinese yuan.

“You can’t determine the price of goods within a few hours due to constant exchange rate changes.

“Today it’s ₦1,600 to a dollar, and in the next few hours, it could be ₦1,700 or ₦1,500. It’s the common people who suffer the most,” Olarenwaju lamented.

He commended the organizers for opening up conversations around trade, currency, and maritime development, urging media professionals to help educate the public on alternatives that could reduce the nation’s dependence on the U.S. dollar.

Earlier in his welcome address, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting dialogue on key economic issues.

While acknowledging the swap deal’s promise in reducing transaction costs and enhancing trade efficiency, Bivbere stressed the need for a balanced discourse.

“We are not only here to applaud progress but also to interrogate policy.

” We must understand both the positive impact and the underlying risks associated with China’s expanding economic footprint in Nigeria,” he said.

Bivbere urged stakeholders across the maritime, trade, and financial sectors to approach the Nigeria-China currency swap with critical insight, noting that sustainable benefits would only come through policies that protect national economic interests while encouraging growth and competitiveness.