Shippers Form New Body To Promote Local Maritime Business

A new shippers associa
tion has been formed from the existing Nigerian Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).
Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt on Friday, the president of the new association, Greg Ogbeifun, said the association was formed to promote and improve the nation’s maritime industry for the benefit of its members, stakeholders in the maritime industry and the nation at large.
Ogbeifun, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (ECO) Starz Marine Nigeria Limited based at Onne Port, said the objectives of the new association were geared towards facilitating the indigenous participation of Nigerians especially ship owners in international fora in shipping matters through effective representation.
He explained that the new association was formed to fill a yawning gap in the shipping sector that has stuwared its growth for many years.
The SOAN boss said members of the association came together to tackle issues that are peculiar to the indigenous shipowners, promote unity among the shipowners present credible shipowners, with track records and where necessary make recommendations to the in-coming administration on maritime issues.
He said members of the new association are persons who have been tested with proven records locally and internationally, stressing that the association had been recognised by Commonwealth Nations after due diligence was conducted on its members.
The shipowners said SOAN provides a strong platform for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to interact with the indigenous shipowners, adding that the IOCs have been looking for a credible platform with service providers especially those in upstream and the association represents such credible platform for the IOCs.
He explained that the association would partner with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other stakeholders to ensure capacity building and mandatory on board training of seafarers.