Headlines

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.

Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.

Headlines

NPA shops for investors to drive deep seaports project of federal government

– says Lekki ports responsible for rising GRT for ocean- going vessels at Nigerian ports.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has come out to confess that the rising Gross Registered Tonnage(GRT) for the ocean – going vessels recently being witnessed at the Nigerian ports is being driven by the Lekki Deep seaport.

Making this disclosure was the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic communications, NPA, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemakara while playing host to the new leadership of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) which was on a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026.

While reviewing the infrastructural upgrade and the modernisation project at the nation’s sea port, Onyemakara disclosed that the upsurge in cargo throughputs and increased vessels gross registered tonnage at the Nigerian ports are being driven by the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

He disclosed that the modern trend in shipping has shifted to large vessels which go to ports of deep draught, an attribute which he said the Lekki Deep Sea Port has.

” If we check our operational statistics, Lekki port is pulling weight more than the others.

“The Port is the one giving us the numbers as far as I’m concerned because of its deep draught” the NPA chief spokesman declared.

It could be recalled that the NPA recently released the Qi 2026 report in which it declared an upsurge in cargo throughputs and higher GRT for vessels that called at the Nigerian Ports during the period under review.

‎According to the report , Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded strong operational growth during the period with Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean-going vessels rising by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million.

The report noted that the development reflects a strategic shift toward larger and more efficient vessels, driven partly by the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and expanding trade demand.

Onyemakara said that was the reason the government is investing heavily in deep seaports project because that is the focus of international shipping which relies on jumbo vessels for carriage of goods.

“We are the biggest economy. The population is here. The market is here” the NPA image maker enthused.

” So when you have all these things and you have an effective and efficient port system, which will come from the modernization of our ports, we can be sure that it will not be difficult for the whole of our ports in Nigeria to do a transshipment.”

He explained that the current infrastructural upgrade and modernisation project of the NPA is meant to position Nigerian ports as the hub of maritime activities in the sub- regional African.

“Most vessels being built globally today are designed for large draft channels. If we fail to position ourselves appropriately, we will simply be wasting time.

“What we have seen in our first quarter operational statistics will become insignificant compared to what the industry can achieve after modernisation,” he explained.

Onyemekara added that Nigeria possesses the demographic and economic fundamentals needed to emerge as a major maritime hub in Africa, stressing that efficient and modern ports would naturally attract higher cargo volumes and transshipment business.

“The economy is here, the population is here, and the market is here. Once you combine these with an efficient port system, Nigerian ports can become major transshipment hubs within the region,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with developments in the aviation sector globally, he explained that countries seeking greater competitiveness were investing heavily in infrastructure expansion rather than merely cosmetic upgrades.

“We are concentrating on where it matters most, where the vessels come in. That is the essence of the port modernisation project,” he added.

Onyemakara further explained that the Federal government is very serious in development of its deep seaports in Nigeria.

According to him, the proposed deep seaports at Badagry in Lagos state, Bakassi deep seaport, Ibom deep seaports, Ibaka deep seaports and Olokola deep seaports have all been approved by the Federal government for development by private sector.

” In view of what is happening. We have created an environment where private investors will come and invest.

“At Lekki port, you know the people that brought money for it.

“Yes. So, every other deep sea ports, what we have done is to regulate all that is needed for those ports to be situated”

Onyemakara said with the government efforts at creating an enabling environment, what is required of the private sector is to move into these areas to develop them.

“Private sector, go and bring money.

” We are just waiting for investors. It’s there.

“At the end of the day, bring the money now ,that is the issue.

” And what government is looking for is private people coming to partner with government. So, anybody that is ready to

bring his funds privately” he noted.

The Nigerian government is heavily investing in deep sea port projects via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to decongest existing Lagos ports and boost maritime trade.

The major projects include the operational Lekki Deep Sea Port, the upcoming $4.2b Ibom Deep Seaport, the $3.5B Bakassi Deep Seaport, and the Badagry Deep Sea Port, designed to handle large vessels.

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is fully operational since 2023 and serves as a major hub with a 16.5m depth, handling containers and bulk cargo to relieve Apapa and Tincan Island ports.

Ibom Deep Seaport ($4.2 Billion) is located in Akwa Ibom, this project features a natural 17.5m depth.

It aims to be the largest container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting 9 million TEUs annually.

Bakassi Deep Seaport ($2.27B – $3.5B) is located in Cross River State.

This project received federal certification in late 2025 and is aimed at improving access to Nigeria’s North-Central/East regions.

Badagry Deep Sea Port with $53B Projected Revenue is a Federal Executive Council-approved project designed to be a multi-purpose facility, including container, liquid, and dry bulk terminals.

Ondo Multipurpose Deep Seaport is a $1.3 Billion project aimed at handling various cargo types, supported by a 30,000-hectare industrial city.

Dangote Deep Sea Port Ogun State is a major private-sector initiative aimed at complementing the Dangote Refinery.

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Headlines

NPA applauds MARAN for peaceful leadership transition, pledges support

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

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‎The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commended the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) for conducting a peaceful and successful leadership transition, describing the process as a reflection of the association’s strong institutional framework.

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‎The General Manager, Corporate Communication and Strategy of the NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemachara, gave the commendation when the newly elected Executive Committee of MARAN paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.

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‎Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Onyemachara noted that the seamless transition within the association demonstrated administrative maturity and a commitment to unity and stability.

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‎He observed that in some organisations, caretaker committees often seek tenure extensions,a situation that could trigger internal divisions and instability.

He, however, praised MARAN for avoiding such challenges by ensuring a transparent and rancour free electoral process.

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‎The NPA spokesperson also lauded the association for recognising and honouring its past leaders, describing the gesture as evidence of MARAN’s respect for continuity and institutional development.

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‎Mr. Onyemachara further urged the newly elected Executive Committee, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, to remain focused and sustain constructive engagement with stakeholders to support the growth of the maritime sector.

He however pledged the support and collaboration of the agency with the association

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‎Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Onigbinde stated that the visit was aimed at appreciating the Nigerian Ports Authority for its longstanding support to MARAN and to seek continued collaboration for the association’s programmes and initiatives.

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‎It would be recalled that MARAN conducted its election on May 7, 2026, producing a seven-member Executive Committee.