From left: Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO, Mr. Abdul Dirisu; Lecturer, IMO International Maritime Law Institute, Ms. Ramat Jalloh; Secretary General, Abuja MoU, Capt. Sunday Umoren; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR; Head, Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa (MTCC Africa), Ms. Lydia Ngugi; Secretary General, African Shipowners Association, Ms Funmi Folorunso and Representative of the Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Ltd., Navy Captain Owens Izilein during the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre, Africa (MTCC-Africa) Biofouling Management in Lagos.

As part of efforts to explore the newest technologies in Biofouling and in compliance with the International Maritime Organisation IMO regulations, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA is hosting a three-day Biofouling Management Training for coastal states within the African continent.

Director General of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, while speaking at the opening session of the event, Monday, noted that the training would showcase the newest technologies, their applications including cost-effective practices and related benefits for the environment and efficiency of shipping.

“The importance of protecting and conserving our seas, oceans and their inhabitants cannot be overemphasised as we are intrinsically linked to them and their wellbeing reflects our own wellbeing too.

“Shipping is at the crux of global trading and the economy with about 90 per cent of world trade and commerce is facilitated through shipping. Studies however, reveal that over time, ships serve as channel for transportation of harmful non-indigenous Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS). These organisms attach themselves to the outer surface and niche areas of a ship, and are then translocated from one ecoregion to another. The process by which these organisms attach themselves to the ship and other surfaces is referred to as Biofouling”, he said.

He further noted that since Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on international trade, shipping is a key component of the country’s import and export activities, which inevitably expose the nation to threats of the IAS transfer into her territorial waters.

To underscore the importance, the agency attaches on the training on the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (TEST), the NIMASA Director General shared a quote, which says: “A healthy ocean is a healthy future.”

While welcoming all participants to the workshop, he encouraged the foreign delegates to explore and enjoy the fascinating sights of the coastal city of Lagos.

Also speaking, the Director, head, Department of Partnerships and Projects, IMO, Dr. Jose Matheickal said that the IMO is excited that NIMASA has taken the lead in the strategic MTCC Africa training on TEST Biofouling in Nigeria

“We have been encouraging more women to participate in the sector and we are very excited to find African Women in Maritime (WIMAFRICA) Nigeria and other women groups emerging in the maritime space,” Matheickal also said.