Nigeria, U.S., France to discuss maritime security at LIMWEEK

Nigeria, the United States and France will chart a path to addressing issues in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, port development, transportation, law and arbitration, training and education as well as environment and women in maritime at the Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK) 2023.

The LIMWEEK, comprising the 8th International Maritime Business to Business Conference scheduled to hold in Lagos on September 19 to 21, will have stakeholders and experts, address maritime challenges in Africa with the theme: “‘MARPOL at 50 – Pollution from Ships, Africa’s Commitment to Clean Oceans, Seas, Inland Waters and the Marine Environment.”

The conference, organised by Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, will have in attendance, the Minister of Marine and the Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, José Mba Abeso and the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission based in Angola, Adenike Ukonga.

The conference will also have the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Justine Pennel of U.S NAVY Africa Command and Prefect of the Atlantic – French Navy, Vice Admiral Jean-François Quérat, and panelists from the various sub-sectors identify lasting solutions to the challenges on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and pollution from ships in Africa.

The Convener, Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, said after 50 years of its legislative existence it is important to see how Nigeria and Africa have followed through this global commitment to keeping the marine environment clean and safe from pollution from ships.

Edodo-Emore said the LIMWEEK 2023 proposes to showcase the best of the maritime industry of Nigeria and Africa, while networking, advocating and proffering solutions to Africa’s maritime transportation challenges.

She said other issues to address include, disposal of wastewater and its effects on the logistics value chain, insurance of oil tankers and risk management strategies for preventing pollution and tax responsibilities of international shipping companies.