Nigeria Pushes Stronger Global Maritime Partnership at 2026 World Maritime Day in Busan – NIMASA DG Mobereola Meets Ex-IMO Chief Kitack Lim By Okwo romeon

Nigeria is pushing for stronger global maritime collaboration to build a safer, competitive and greener shipping industry as the world faces decarbonisation, piracy and digital disruption.


At the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event held in Busan, Republic of Korea, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to turning global maritime talks into practical partnerships that deliver real results for Nigerian seafarers, dockworkers and ports.


Dr. Mobereola, who represented the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, told maritime leaders that international cooperation must go beyond conference speeches.


For Abuja importers and Lagos port users tracking Nigeria Anchorage NPA live tracker, this matters because stronger IMO collaboration means faster port reforms, better safety at Apapa, Tin Can and Onne, and more capacity for Nigerian cadets.


In his remarks at Busan, Dr. Mobereola said Nigeria wants partnerships in three critical areas:

First, strengthening maritime regulation and institutional performance. Nigeria wants to align NIMASA rules with IMO standards to improve flag state performance and port state control. This will cut vessel detention at Lagos ports and reduce demurrage for importers in Dei-Dei and Kado markets who lose millions to regulatory delays.


Second, expanding professional development for Nigerian maritime professionals. Nigeria wants more slots for Nigerian seafarers, naval architects and marine engineers at IMO training institutes in Korea, Singapore and Sweden. Currently, Nigeria has over 10,000 registered seafarers but less than 30% get international sea time. Partnership with Busan, home to Korea Maritime University, will open more berths.


Third, leveraging technology exchange and innovation to improve competitiveness. Nigeria wants access to Korea's smart port technology, green shipping fuel, and maritime single window system. Busan Port handles 21 million TEUs yearly with automation – Apapa handles 1.5 million TEUs with manual checks. Technology transfer can cut clearing time from 10 days to 3 days.

The event brought together maritime leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges – Red Sea crisis, carbon tax on shipping, and seafarer shortage.


On the sidelines of the main event, Dr. Mobereola also met Mr. Kitack Lim, former Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Lim, a Korean maritime veteran who led IMO from 2016 to 2023, praised Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy agenda and called for continued dialogue.


Lim's meeting with Mobereola is strategic. Korea is Nigeria's 4th largest shipping partner – Hyundai Heavy, Samsung Heavy and Daewoo build vessels for Nigeria LNG and NNPC. Korea also funds IMO technical cooperation for Africa.


Nigeria's participation in Busan reinforces the Federal Government's Marine and Blue Economy agenda launched in 2023. The agenda targets $10bn annual contribution from blue economy by 2027, up from $4bn now. Key projects include National Carrier revival, $1bn Lekki deep seaport optimisation, and Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund disbursement N16bn to indigenous shipowners.


From policy to progress, Mobereola said international collaboration must deliver value for the industry and the people who drive it – seafarers at sea, dockworkers at Apapa, and importers in Abuja who depend on efficient ports.

For Nigeria Anchorage readers tracking daily NPA 15 ships expected at Lagos, stronger global partnerships mean fewer vessel delays, lower freight cost and faster clearance.


What This Means for Abuja Importers:

If NIMASA secures Korea technology partnership, expect NPA single window live in 2027 – Cut Customs and NPA approvals from 5 desks to 1 online – Save N200k per 40ft container in demurrage.


Source: NIMASA Press Release, Busan World Maritime Day Parallel Event, Oct 2026.


*By:* Romeon Okwo | Nigeria Anchorage | Abuja | www.nigeriaanchorage.blogspot.com


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