Federal Government has given its approval for the ratification of six maritime conventions and protocols aimed at promoting a cleaner marine environment, establishing ship-breaking criteria, setting global standards for fishing crew, and enhancing responses to oil pollution incidents.
The ratified instruments include the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) 1995, the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties (intervention protocol) 1973, and the Protocol on Limitation of Liabilities for Maritime Claims 1996.
Also, the approved conventions encompass the Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 2002, and the protocol of 2005 to the 1988 protocol to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA PROT 2005).
The Ministry of Transportation, through the Federal Government, conveyed the approval to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), marking the beginning of Nigeria’s efforts to align with global maritime standards and practices set forth by these protocols and conventions.
The Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for granting approval and reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment as the designated authority (DA) to ensure that the benefits of these various instruments are brought closer to indigenous investors, professionals, and all stakeholders in Nigeria.
Regarding the Hong Kong Convention, Jamoh highlighted its objective of ensuring that ships, when recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose risks to human health, safety, or the environment.
He further explained that the STCW-F treaty establishes certification and minimum training requirements for seagoing fishing vessel crews, with the aim of promoting safety at sea and protecting the marine environment while considering the unique nature of the fishing industry and its working environment.
Jamoh emphasized that the International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties empowers Nigeria to take action on the high seas to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate grave and imminent dangers to the country’s coastline or related interests resulting from oil spillage and pollution threats.
Addressing the Convention of Limitation of Liability of Maritime Claims, he clarified that it provides an unbreakable system for limiting liability, allowing shipowners and sailors to limit their liability unless it can be proven that the loss occurred due to their personal act or omission committed intentionally or recklessly with knowledge that such loss would likely happen.
He explained the significance of the Athens Convention, stating that it establishes a liability framework for damages suffered by passengers on seagoing vessels, placing responsibility on carriers for any loss or damage attributable to their fault.
He added that the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA PROT) will lead to enhanced protection of oil platforms and impose sanctions against threats targeting such facilities, which are crucial to the country’s economy.
Dr. Jamoh sought the cooperation of all stakeholders with NIMASA and expressed the agency’s intention to engage with them at various stages of implementation in the near future.