The Nigerian Navy has thrown its weight behind the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria’s (MARAN) efforts to remove the country from the War Risk Insurance List, citing over three years of piracy-free waters and significant investments in maritime security infrastructure.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen, described the continued classification as “unjust” and “unsubstantiated” during a courtesy visit by MARAN executives.
According to Oamen, the country’s improved maritime safety can be attributed to robust naval presence, surveillance systems like the Falcon Eye, and strategic partnerships with other navies in the region. He urged MARAN to escalate the matter by writing to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and engaging key agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere emphasised that the association aims to use the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2025 to demand action from the international community, particularly the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and major insurance firms, to remove Nigeria from the war risk classification.
The lecture, themed “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade”, will bring together industry stakeholders to examine the continued imposition of war risk charges on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
Bivbere noted that Nigerian waters have remained safe for over three years, yet shipping companies and insurers continue to impose high premiums affecting all aspects of the economy. The costs are ultimately passed down to importers and everyday Nigerians. MARAN plans to write to the IMO and engage insurance companies to find out why Nigeria is still being charged.
In a related development, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) recently confirmed that war risk insurance premiums on Nigeria-bound ships have been removed, thanks to the successes of the Deep Blue Project anchored by NIMASA. NSML’s Managing Director, Abdulkadir Ahmed, commended NIMASA for enhancing security within the Gulf of Guinea.
In view of this, the Nigerian Navy has pledged its support for the MAMAL 2025 lecture, with the Command set to present a paper on the efforts and investments made to secure the maritime environment.
This collaboration highlights the Navy’s commitment to promoting the Nigerian maritime sector and addressing industry challenges.