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MARAN decries $500m annual loss by Nigerian Shippers to War Risk charges on in-bound cargo.

— accuses international shipping cartel of criminal extortions
Funso OLOJO 
The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria( MARAN) has condemned the persistent collection of War Risk Premium on Nigeria – bound cargo by international shipping cartel which runs into a whooping sun of $500m annually.
In a press statement by the association, the group decried what it described as international gang -up against Nigeria by the foreign ship owners whom  it accused of fleecing Nigerian Shippers through this charges despite the security improvements on Nigerian waters.
To demonstrate its opposition to the continued collection of these inordinate charges, MARAN has embarked on an advocacy through its 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL 2025) where it intends to highlight the extortions of Nigerian Shippers and expose what it regarded as a deep- seated fraud by the international shipping cartel.
MARAN, while acknowledging the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) to end this international gang -up against Nigeria and end the imposition of the charges, the association lamented that the extortion still continues unabated.
The group observed that shipowners and importers, who bear the brunt of these unjustifiable premiums, are left wondering why a nation with demonstrable secure waters is still being treated as a war zone by the international shipping community.
Alhaji Aminu Umar, Managing Director of Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited and President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, rightly points out the need for NIMASA to engage the Joint War Committee, the body responsible for waiving or imposing WRI.
“However, despite their efforts, the WRI remains firmly in place, raising concerns about the sincerity of the international shipping companies who engage business with Nigerian Shippers and the dirty politics involved in international trade as described by the President of the Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Mr. Sola Adewunmi.
MARAN noted that for years, the justification for WRI on Nigerian-bound cargo stemmed from the very real threat of piracy and Niger Delta militancy.
” However, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in 2021, Nigeria has been officially removed from the list of piracy-prone countries.
“The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) further validated this progress in 2023, delisting Nigeria from high-risk maritime nations” the group observed.
MARAN also recalled that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyola Oyetola, has also repeatedly affirmed that there hasn’t been a single pirate incident in Nigerian waters for over three years, attributing this peace to the multi-billion naira Deep Blue Project spearheaded by NIMASA.
The association however expressed concern that despite this improvement on security in the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian waters, foreign insurance companies like Lloyd’s of London and various P&I clubs continue to levy these war risk surcharges.
“This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a monumental financial drain.
” In the past three years alone, Nigeria has coughed up an eye-watering $1.5 billion in WRI premiums.
“To put this into perspective, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) can incur a WRI surcharge of approximately $445,000 per voyage, while a new container vessel might face a hefty $525,000.
“Shipping giants like Maersk even tack on additional “transit disruption surcharges” of up to $450 per container.
” This translates directly to higher costs for Nigerian importers and exporters, ultimately passed on to the ordinary citizen, who pays inflated prices for goods” the journalists group noted.
MARAN stated that it was against this backdrop of frustration and economic detriment which the War Risk charges have caused the country that makes the association wants to bring the criminal extortions being perpetrated by international shipping cartel against Nigeria to global attention through its forthcoming annual lecture.
“The 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL 2025), slated for August 28, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, is set to be a groundbreaking event that directly confronts this international fraud” the association declared.
With the theme “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade,” MAMAL 2025 aims to be more than just a discussion forum.
 It’s a rallying cry to the Federal Government and all affected stakeholders to acknowledge the severe economic implications of these unjust charges.
MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, has unequivocally condemned WRI as an international fraud burdening the economy of Nigeria and other developing countries in the Gulf of Guinea.
MAMAL 2025 promises to dissect every facet of this issue, from the perceived threats to the profound implications of persistent Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI).
It will scrutinize the roles of classification societies like Lloyd’s of London and critically examine the contributions of core stakeholders, including NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and other maritime and security operators.
More importantly, MAMAL 2025 will draw over 500 key stakeholders, including maritime security experts, shipowners, terminal operators, international shipping lines, diplomats, insurers, regulators, and legal experts.
This broad engagement, driven by MARAN’s respected voice in the industry, offers a genuine opportunity for a united front against this exploitative practice.
While NIMASA talks to the UN, MARAN is bringing together the very people and organizations directly impacted, creating a platform for collective action and a more forceful demand for change.
” The continued imposition of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian-bound vessels is an affront to the nation’s efforts in securing its maritime domain and a significant impediment to its economic growth.
“It’s time for a definitive resolution, and MAMAL 2025, driven by the persistent advocacy of MARAN, appears to be the most promising avenue for achieving it” the statement concluded.
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Customs

KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement

Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
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‎The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
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‎Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
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‎The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
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‎He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
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‎Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
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‎Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
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‎Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
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‎The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
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‎He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.

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Headlines

One infant, three adults die, several others sustain injuries in fatal train derailment along Warri- Itakpe route 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers in a train derailment along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State on Monday, June 8th, 2026.
Several others suffered various degrees of injuries.
In a statement by the Ministry of Transportation  and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the victims included two female adults, one male adult and one infant.
The accident involved four coaches which reportedly capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives.
The statement confirmed that a total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.
The NRC had activated immediate rescue and evacuation operations with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m on Monday .
The Injured passengers were evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.
 Other notable individuals on board included the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.
As of the time of this release, 24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
One NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
“The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured.
“The Corporation also appreciates the swift intervention of the Delta State Government, emergency responders, security agencies, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, medical personnel, and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts” the statement declared.
The ministry said full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities while efforts are ongoing to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation.
The Ministry in conjunction with the NRC have commenced a full investigation into the cause of the accident while efforts will continue to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected.
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Commentaries

Why Nigeria must prioritize competency development and standards to harness gains of  blue economy

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
Nigeria is endowed with vast maritime resources which offer enormous opportunities for economic growth, employment generation, food security, and environmental sustainability.
With its fabled over 850 kilometers of coastline, extensive inland waterways, and strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, the country is naturally blessed to emerge as a hub for maritime activities in Africa.
However , taking advantage of these huge massive maritime opportunities should be the priority of Nigerian government which must be intentional on developing competency level of its Maritime professionals and raise their
adherence to international standards.
The blue economy encompasses diverse sectors including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, offshore energy, maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and marine environmental management.
 These sectors are highly knowledge-driven and require a workforce equipped with specialized skills and globally recognized certifications.
Without competent professionals, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities to countries with better-trained maritime personnel and stronger institutional frameworks.
Competency development is essential for enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across the maritime sector.
Skilled seafarers, marine engineers, port operators, logistics professionals, and environmental experts are critical to ensuring that maritime activities meet international best practices.
 As global shipping and offshore industries become increasingly technology-driven, continuous training and capacity building are necessary to keep Nigerian professionals competitive in the international labour market.
Skilled maritime professionals such as seafarers, marine engineers and allied personnel in the sector could be sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria as they could be exported to the international community.
Philippines and India are the world’s top exporters of skilled maritime personnel such as seafarers where they get the chunk of their foreign exchange.
If Nigeria could develop such capacity in skilled labourers in the sector and export their expertise, the country could harvest bountifully from such venture.
Equally important is the adoption and enforcement of internationally recognized standards.
Standards provide the framework for quality assurance, safety management, environmental protection, and operational excellence.
Compliance with global maritime standards established by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization(IMO) and the Nautical Institute enhances Nigeria’s credibility as a maritime nation and attracts foreign investment.
Investors and international partners are more likely to engage with institutions and businesses that demonstrate compliance with recognized benchmarks.
That is why the recent certification of the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited by the  UK Nautical Institute is germaine to Nigeria’s quest to develop training capacity and build compliance with standard procedures
This feat also underscores the importance of world-class training institutions in building local capacity.
That is why the  government should give necessary assistance to training institutions in Nigeria such as Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN),  Oron and the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited.
Such government patronage and assistance will not only improve the quality of maritime training in Nigeria but also position the country as a regional centre  for maritime education and professional development.
Prioritizing competency development and standards will also contribute significantly to maritime safety and environmental sustainability.
Well-trained personnel are better equipped to prevent accidents, manage maritime risks, and respond effectively to emergencies.
 Furthermore, adherence to environmental standards helps reduce marine pollution, protect biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable utilization of ocean resources, which are fundamental pillars of the blue economy.
From an economic perspective, a competent workforce and strong standards framework can increase Nigeria’s participation in global maritime trade, create high-value jobs, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and improve the country’s competitiveness.
 It also supports local content development by enabling Nigerian professionals and companies to meet the requirements of international contracts and projects.
In conclusion, competency development and standards are not optional components of Nigeria’s blue economy strategy; they are foundational requirements for its success.
 By investing in human capital, strengthening training institutions, and enforcing internationally accepted standards, Nigeria can fully harness the immense potential of its maritime resources and transform the blue economy into a major driver of national development, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.
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