The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has called for faster domestication of outstanding international maritime treaties and stronger enforcement of existing maritime laws.

The group also urged the National Assembly to enact maritime bills pending before it before the end of its tenure in May 2027, stressing the need to bridge the gap between maritime policy and practice.

The association said ratification and legislation must translate into practical outcomes across Nigeria’s maritime sector.

NMLA made the call to mark the 2026 World Maritime Day, observed under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

The association noted that the 2026–2027 theme, adopted for the first time as a two-year World Maritime Day cycle, underscores the need to move beyond negotiation, preparation and ratification of maritime treaties to their effective implementation and enforcement.

It’s President, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) said maritime laws and policies should produce visible improvements in safer voyages, protection of seafarers, cleaner waters, efficient cargo movement and confidence in the enforcement of maritime rights.

He said Nigeria’s position on the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium presents an opportunity for the country to contribute to global maritime decisions, adding that this should be matched by stronger domestic implementation.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Igbokwe listed Nigeria’s maritime legal framework as including the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, Cabotage Act 2003, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019 and the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act.

He also highlighted ongoing work by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on STCW, ship finance and ship registration, as well as collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in securing the Gulf of Guinea.

He said these efforts, reinforced by the Deep Blue Project and international collaboration, had contributed to a measurable decline in piracy and armed robbery at sea within Nigerian waters.

However, he called for full and consistent implementation of the Cabotage Act, including a move away from waiver dependency towards indigenous tonnage, shipbuilding and ownership capacity.

The body also advocated stronger enforcement of the SPOMO Act, judicial capacity-building for speedy prosecution of piracy and maritime crimes, and greater harmonisation of Nigerian maritime legislation with international conventions, particularly on ship registration, environmental compliance and seafarers’ welfare.

The association further called for investment in maritime dispute resolution capacity in Nigeria and closer collaboration among the Nigerian Bar Association, Judiciary, NIMASA, Navy and industry stakeholders.

NMLA urged the Federal Government, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and National Assembly to accelerate ratification and domestication of outstanding international maritime treaties and adequately resource enforcement agencies.

It also called on maritime agencies and courts to effectively implement existing laws and assess progress through outcomes visible to maritime businesses and the public.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to maritime law reform, professional education and engagement with stakeholders, stressing that the measure of maritime policy is what it enables people to do safely, efficiently and responsibly in practice.

It also expressed solidarity with seafarers navigating conflict-affected waters, saying legal frameworks must protect those who keep global trade moving.