MAMAL 2025: Shippers’ Council Backs MARAN in Push to Scrap War Risk Premium
MAMAL 2025: Shippers’ Council Backs MARAN in Push to Scrap War Risk Premium
Nifemi Coker
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has joined calls for the removal of Nigeria from the list of countries classified as a war risk zone, describing the designation — and the resulting payment of war risk insurance premiums — as unjustified and economically harmful.
Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius MON, stated this on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos.
“Does Nigeria have any business being in the war risk zone?” he queried, noting that Nigerian waters have recorded no terrorist attacks in the last three years.
Akutah commended MARAN for its sustained advocacy to reform the maritime sector and reduce costs, adding that the theme of the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2025 — *“Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade”* — is both timely and critical.
“We are partners, and I can tell you the contribution your association is bringing to the table. We are very proud of what you are doing,” he said.
He argued that the war risk classification imposes unnecessary costs on the economy and erodes the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports. Port cost inefficiencies, he stressed, have been a long-standing concern, with excessive charges contributing to the sector’s challenges.
According to him, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is already spearheading efforts to have Nigeria delisted from the war risk category. However, he urged that advocacy must extend beyond government to involve all industry stakeholders.
“This is how we will develop our sector — by being proactive, not only criticising but also bringing solutions to the table,” he added.
Akutah pledged the Council’s full participation in MAMAL 2025 and expressed personal interest in attending, given its alignment with the NSC’s mandate to reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
Earlier, MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, applauded the NSC’s interventions in addressing port challenges and urged the agency to explore a broader strategy by engaging the United African Shippers’ Council (UASC) and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) to eliminate the war risk insurance burden.
About The Author
