By Warredi Enisuoh
The maritime industry includes shipping, ports, logistics, fisheries, offshore oil Infrastructure, offshore energy, ship building, port state control, flag state control, and coastal state responsibilities.
Its strategic importance emanate from the fact that over 80% of global trade by volume moves by sea; enhances competitiveness; supports industrialization; and strengthens national security.
The maritime industry ecosystem comprises the ports, shipping lines, shipyards, logistics firms, customs agencies, financial institutions, maritime education, and regulations.
Governments should establish long-term maritime strategies with measurable objectives for trade, employment, investment and sustainability. A national maritime vision should be put in place. There should be deep water ports, container terminals, cargo handling equipment, dredging, storage facilities, and multimodal transport connections.
There should be port infrastructure development, port governance models, public ownership, landlord port systems, private concessions, public-private-partnerships (PPP) in order to improve efficiency and attract investments in the country.
In terms of shipping fleet development, policies to encourage domestic ship ownership through financing schemes, tax incentives, favourable regulatory frameworks should be put in place.
On shipbuilding and repair industry, Nigeria should carry out investments in shipyards; engineering capability; technology transfer; skilled labor creates industrial value chains; and human capital development through maritime academies, vocational training. certification standards, research institutions as well as continuous professional development.
Our regulatory and legal frameworks should comply with international conventions, maritime safety regulations, environmental standards, and transparent governance.
In terms of maritime finance and investment, development banks, export credit agencies, maritime funds, private capital should be established. We must not forget that foreign direct investment (FDI) supports growth
Technology and Digital Transformation entails building of smart ports, port automation, artificial intelligence (AI), block chain logistics systems, and vessel tracking technologies.
In order to ensure sustainability and green shipping, emission reduction, alternative fuels, energy-efficient vessels, green ports, environmental protection measures are imperative.
Creating maritime clusters and innovation is what most successful nations have embraced. The maritime clusters is where ports, universities, technology firms, financiers, and service providers collaborate.
International Case Study: Singapore
Strategic location
Efficient port management
Maritime Services
Digital Innovation
Strong government support.
The challenges facing developing nations include infrastructure deficits, financial constraints, regulatory weakness, skills shortages, and environmental risks.
My policy recommendations include sustainability initiatives and appreciation from far beyond.
Thank you.
*Being excerpts of the paper presented by the Executive Director, Technical and Operations, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Captain Warredi Enisuoh at AMSAY 10th year anniversary in Lagos recently.
