NIMASA, IMO Partners Push National Maritime Decarbonisation Plan

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has restated its commitment to lead the development of a national action plan on maritime decarbonisation as Nigeria aligns shipping growth with climate obligations.

At a national stakeholders’ workshop in Lagos under the IMO GreenVoyage2050 programme, NIMASA said it would provide regulatory leadership, technical coordination and engagement with industry operators to deliver a plan suited to local realities.

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, who was represented by Executive Director, Operations, Engr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, said the process is a key step in implementing the Federal Government’s blue economy priorities while addressing emissions from maritime operations.

Mobereola said the action plan being developed is expected to identify existing capacity, close institutional and technical gaps, and connect maritime policy with wider environmental and economic priorities of government.

He said the transition in global shipping is not only about meeting international obligations but also about protecting Nigeria’s marine environment, supporting public health outcomes and keeping local shipping businesses competitive as standards evolve.

The workshop brought together officials from NIMASA’s Marine Environment Management department, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, naval representatives, international programme officers and private-sector stakeholders.

Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Astrid Dispert, said the initiative is designed to help countries create coherent policy and regulatory systems that can accelerate emissions reduction in shipping. She said national institutions such as NIMASA remain central to implementation because decarbonisation outcomes depend on domestic regulation, industry compliance and financing decisions.

Project officials explained that GreenVoyage2050 offers participating countries technical support for policy design, institutional strengthening and practical road maps that can encourage cleaner fuels, better vessel efficiency and more effective emissions governance.

For Nigeria, participants said the immediate task is to produce a credible action plan with realistic timelines, measurable targets and implementation pathways that work for port operators, ship owners, regulators and related logistics businesses.

Stakeholders at the Lagos workshop also discussed the cost implications of transition for developing economies and the need to avoid measures that weaken trade competitiveness. They said policy sequencing, targeted incentives and phased compliance frameworks will be important if emission cuts are to happen without severe disruption to cargo movement and shipping costs.

Officials said the national framework must also connect with international market shifts, including pressure from charterers and financiers for cleaner fleets, reporting standards and transition plans tied to carbon exposure.

NIMASA representatives said broad consultation is necessary to ensure the final plan reflects domestic operational conditions, including infrastructure constraints, technology access and workforce readiness. They added that the agency will continue engaging public institutions and private operators as draft recommendations are refined.

The Federal Government’s participation in the project was presented as part of a wider commitment to climate goals and sustainable ocean-based growth. Participants said implementation will require coordinated action across agencies responsible for maritime regulation, environmental oversight, emergency preparedness and transport security.

Industry contributors at the session said successful decarbonisation policy for Nigeria should combine regulation with practical support mechanisms, including technical training, data systems for emissions tracking and investment pathways for cleaner vessel and port technologies.

By the close of the workshop, officials said Nigeria’s next steps include consolidating stakeholder inputs, developing draft policy components and building an execution framework that can move from consultation into enforceable action.

NIMASA said the objective is to ensure Nigeria does not lag in the global shift toward lower-emission shipping, while protecting national economic interests tied to maritime trade and blue economy expansion.