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Nigeria seeks intervention of Denmark to end war risk insurance surcharge on Nigeria- bound cargo

– as NIMASA reaffirms commitment to capacity building for  Nigerian maritime journalists.

Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian government through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated its call for the end to the war risk insurance surcharge slammed on Nigeria- bound cargo by international shipping cartel.
War risk insurance in Nigeria’s maritime industry protects against losses from events like piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism.
The Nigerian government has called for the removal of war risk insurance premiums on Nigerian-bound vessels.
The surcharge was instituted by the international shipping companies during the hay days of heightened piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and militancy in the Niger Delta region of the country.
However, several years down the line, the Niger Delta restiveness had completely stopped while the piracy in the Gulf of Guinea had substantially been scaled down through the efforts of Nigerian government.
However, despite these changes and the global campaign of Nigeria to end the surcharge, the international shipping companies have refused to stop it.
However, the Director – General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, renewed the clamour of the country for the removal of the surcharge when he was playing host to the delegation from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the agency’s headquarters on Thursday, March 6th, 2025.
The Danish team has come to NIMASA to deepen its capacity training initiative with the agency.
Dr Mobereola, who was represented by Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency, Chudi Offodile, requested the Danish government and the international community to intervene and prevail on the international shipping cartel to end the surcharge, given the commitment and huge investments made by Nigeria to maritime security and the relative peace in the Gulf of Guinea.

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According to him, Nigeria has invested a huge resources into the maritime security in the country and the region through its Deep Blue Project that has decapitated piracy and armed robbery in the region.
Mobereola declared that the international shipping community owes the country a duty by reciprocating its gesture towards the commitment to security in the region by removing the war risk insurance surcharge.
” Given the commitment of NIMASA and the Federal government to maritime security that ensured almost zero incidents of piracy and armed robbery within the Gulf of Guinea in the last four to five years, there is absolutely no reason for the current war risk insurance premium on Nigeria- bound cargo.
” We expect that the surcharge ought to have gone.
” With the cooperation we seek with the Danish government, we expect that the war risk insurance premium and freight costs and other related issues will have to be addressed by the international community” Mobereola declared.
However, the Head of the Danish delegation, Kristin Skov- Spilling, who is the Special Technical Director of Evaluation, Leaning and Quality in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared that there is little or nothing the government of Denmark could do on the war risk insurance premium because the insurance companies are private entities.
Chudi Offodile expressed disappointment at the response of the Danish delegation team leader, saying such distinction does not make sense.
” When sanctions come from Europe, America or the international community, they come from their governments.
” But when we seek some response from them considering investment we had made and concrete achievements recorded ,they now say insurance companies are private companies.
” That distinction doesn’t make sense. It is clear to the world that we have done our bit and the world must respond” the NIMASA chief insisted.
Meanwhile, NIMASA have reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building for maritime journalists and have sought the collaboration of the Danish government in this regard.
It would be recalled the Danish government sponsored the training of some Nigerian Maritime journalists through Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre( KAIPTC)  in Lagos in 2023.
The Danish team was in NIMASA where it interacted with some of the beneficiaries of the training for feedbacks on the 2023 capacity training.
However, Offodile, who was apparently impressed by the feedback he got from the KAIPTC students, pledged that NIMASA will continue to explore ways to train more journalists in maritime security.
He said since the 2023 training, the level of reporting of maritime industry has been elevated as the trainees have brought what they learned on their reportage.
Offodile therefore urged the Danish government to continue with the initiative which he said NIMASA would support and sustain.
The Danish team will also go to other African countries where the Danish government has such capacity building programme.
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Maersk’s suspension of shipping operations through Strait of Hormuz raises anxiety among Nigerian importers 

Attack on vessel in the Strait of Hormuz
Funso OLOJO, with agency report
The on- going hostilies in the Middle East have continued to stifle international trade as most of the shipping companies have suspended voyage through the troubled Strait of Hormuz.
The joint attacks by the military forces of the United States of America (USA) and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in the assassination of its Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomenei and over 40 top military officers of the Islamic country,have put a strain on shipping operations along the busy vessel route of Strait of Hormuz as the Houthis militias, who are sympathetic to Iran, have threatened to attack vessels on the route.
Strait of Hormuz accounts for one third of the world shipping passage while the route accommodates the world largest crude tankers , despite its narrow width.
As a result of the threats, which have raised safety concerns on the vessels, cargos and crews, major shipping lines have halted their operations along the route.
Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, has halted passage of cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for “safety” reasons.

“We are suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice,” the Danish group said in an online advisory.“The safety of our crews, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our key priority,” it said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had earlier announced the Strait’s closure.

Major Middle Eastern oil and gas exporters rely on it to move supplies to international markets while importing nations depend on its uninterrupted operation.
China, one of the biggest destinations of Nigerian importers, make use of the route for import of the crude oil from the Middle East, especially Iran and export of its manufactured goods to the developing countries, especially Nigeria.
This development has raised anxiety among Nigerian importers who expressed concerns over the implications of the disruption on the route one the cost of imports, especially from China.
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NRC hosts Rotary Club on mobile train

Gloria Odion, Reporter 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has played host to the Rotary Club of Ota by hosting Nigeria’s first-ever Rotary fellowship on a moving train, setting a remarkable benchmark for innovation in civic and humanitarian engagement.
The groundbreaking event brought together members of the club aboard a moving train for fellowship, leadership interaction, and strategic discussion centered on service to humanity, climate action, and sustainable community development.
The fellowship was led by the President of the Rotary Club of Ota, Mr. Charles Umukoro, alongside members of the club’s executive and general membership.
A major highlight of the occasion was the visit of the Railway District Manager, Engr. Rasheed Adedeji, who warmly welcomed the Rotarians on board.
His presence underscored the significance of the event and further strengthened the cordial relationship between the railway management and the Rotary Club.
In a symbolic moment reflecting shared values of service and partnership, Engr. Rasheed Adedeji was formally inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Ota following his welcome address, adding prestige and deeper institutional collaboration to the landmark fellowship.
The moving-train fellowship was widely described as symbolic of progress, innovation, and forward movement—values that align closely with the transformation agenda of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was committed to supporting initiatives that promote national development, environmental sustainability, and community advancement, while showcasing the railway as a safe, modern, and strategic platform for engagement.
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In Malmo, Sweden, NIMASA renews capacity development partnership with WMU

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has renewed its strategic capacity development partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmö, Sweden, through the signing of a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime human capital and institutional capacity.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the partnership as a critical pillar in NIMASA’s human capital development framework and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future.

“This collaboration has significantly strengthened our technical and regulatory capabilities over the years.

“Officers trained at WMU have enhanced our effectiveness in maritime safety administration, environmental compliance, maritime law, and shipping management.

“Their expertise has also reinforced Nigeria’s participation at the International Maritime Organization and other international maritime platforms,” he stated.

Under the renewed MoU, which was first signed in 2022, NIMASA will sponsor at least ten officers annually for the 14-month Master of Science programme at WMU in Malmö for the 2026–2029 intakes, as well as at least one officer for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme jointly delivered by WMU and the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Malta.

The MoU also provides for distance learning, executive professional development courses, research collaboration and technical assistance to strengthen NIMASA’s capacity in maritime safety, environmental management, seafarer certification and implementation of international maritime instruments.

WMU will further seek additional fellowships from international donors for qualified NIMASA candidates.

Dr. Mobereola endorsed the MoU on behalf of NIMASA with the President of WMU, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr signing on behalf of the University while Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA ,Chudi Offodile and the Registrar of WMU, Mr. Peter Marriott both signed as witnesses.

Established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization, WMU was mandated to strengthen global maritime capacity, particularly in developing countries.

The University has since become a leading centre of excellence, and Nigeria has benefited significantly through the training of NIMASA officers who continue to enhance national maritime governance and international engagement.

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