The Honorable Minister of Transportation Mu’ azu Jaji Sambo says Nigeria is committed to achieving greener shipping in line with the campaign by the International Maritime Organization, IMO, to attain sustainable development in the maritime industry. This is just as Nigeria joins the IMO to commemorate the 2022 World Maritime Day.
Sambo said that Nigeria would not be left behind in the global move towards greener shipping, while also reflecting on the need for stakeholders in the maritime sector to begin exploring ways to transition into a greener and more sustainable future.
Achieving cleaner oceans
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh noted that the Theme for 2022’s world Maritime Day celebration is in line with the Agency’s mission of achieving cleaner oceans by developing shipping in Nigeria.
He also pointed out that NIMASA is already working in line with the call by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim for developing countries to adopt green technology.
Importance of sustainable maritime sector
The theme provides an opportunity for the need to build back better and greener in a post-pandemic world"
According to the IMO Secretary General, “The World Maritime Day theme 2022 “New technologies for greener shipping” reflects the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future, while leaving no one behind."
"The theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post-pandemic world.”
Addressing environmental issues
“Nigeria, represented by NIMASA, as an active member state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is involved in creating new international agreements and protocols to address environmental issues such as marine pollution, oil spills, and emissions from the shipping industry.”
The theme of World Maritime Day 2022 is linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 13 and 14 on climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources; SDG 9 on the industry, innovation, and infrastructure; and SDG 17, which highlights the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals.