The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has called on researchers, marine engineers, naval architects, maritime professionals and industry experts to submit original research papers for its forthcoming 2026 conference, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sovereignty, indigenous shipbuilding capacity and transition to sustainable shipping.

The conference, tagged MARVEL Nigeria 2026, is scheduled to hold on November 20, 2026, at the Event Hall, Naval Dockyard, 28 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With the theme, “Advancing Maritime Sovereignty: Maritime Advancement through Resilience, Vessel Development, Energy Transition and Local Capacity,” the event is expected to bring together stakeholders from academia, government, research institutions and the maritime industry to examine practical solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime sector.

NIMENA said the conference would provide a platform for exchanging ideas, presenting research findings and exploring technological innovations capable of improving indigenous capacity, promoting sustainable maritime operations and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international shipping.

The institution identified four major research tracks designed to address critical industry challenges and emerging opportunities across Nigeria and the wider West African maritime environment.

The first track, Classification and Standards, will focus on developing local inspection and certification capacity, improving vessel safety and establishing structural requirements suited to the operational conditions of West African waters.

The track is expected to explore how stronger domestic technical capabilities and appropriate standards could improve vessel integrity, safety and compliance while reducing dependence on external expertise.

The second track, Green Shipping, will examine vessel retrofits, alternative fuels, emissions reduction and the technical and commercial viability of cleaner maritime operations.

As the global shipping industry increasingly considers measures to reduce its environmental footprint, the track will provide opportunities to assess how Nigeria can adopt appropriate technologies and practices without undermining the commercial viability of its maritime businesses.

The third track, Cabotage and Shipbuilding, will address domestic fleet development, shipyard capacity, materials, modular construction and the implementation of cabotage policies.

Discussions under this category are expected to examine practical ways of expanding indigenous participation in coastal and inland shipping, strengthening local shipbuilding capabilities and improving the capacity of domestic operators to compete in maritime services.

The fourth track, Hydrodynamics of Domestic Craft, will explore hull design, vessel resistance, propulsion and stability, particularly for coastal, inland and shallow-draught vessels.

Research in this area could support the development of vessels better suited to Nigeria’s waterways and operating conditions, potentially improving efficiency, safety and the performance of domestic maritime transportation.

NIMENA said submissions must demonstrate clear research questions, sound methodologies and findings with practical relevance to maritime development in West Africa.

The institution emphasised the importance of original research capable of contributing to engineering practice, policy development, technological advancement and the sustainable growth of the maritime industry.

It added that authors of selected conference papers might be invited to submit expanded manuscripts for consideration in the Journal of the Blue Economy and Sustainable Energy Development (JBESED) or the African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA).

The publication opportunity is expected to provide researchers with an additional platform to disseminate their findings and contribute to professional knowledge in marine engineering, naval architecture and related fields.

Interested researchers and maritime professionals are required to submit abstracts of between 150 and 200 words on or before November 17, 2026. The deadline for full manuscript submissions is November 27, 2026.

Through MARVEL Nigeria 2026, NIMENA is seeking to encourage research-driven solutions to the technical, environmental and industrial challenges facing the maritime sector, while promoting indigenous expertise and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to develop and sustain its maritime infrastructure.