Maritime

IMO Urges Fair Distribution Of Covid-19 Vaccines To Seafarers

Published

4 years ago

May 17, 2021

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has called on member states to ensure that Covid-19 vaccines are made available to all seafarers across the globe.

The Secretary-General, IMO, Kitack Lim, in a statement, said all IMO member states should support a fair global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to enable seafarers have access to it.

im also wanted seafarers and marine personnel to be designated as ‘key workers’, noting that some key maritime labour supply countries are reliant on the COVAX initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to access vaccines.

He said, “To ensure access to vaccines of those countries, I call on all IMO member states to work together towards a fair global distribution, beyond fulfilling their national needs.

“No seafarers should be left behind or forced to forgo their careers because of limited resources in their home country.

“The health of the world’s seafarers and the safety of their workplaces has to remain one of our main priorities and can only be guaranteed if industry and member states continue to provide all necessary measures such as testing, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE), access to medical care and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis at sea. I therefore reiterate my call to all member states to designate all seafarers and marine personnel as key workers.

“To date, only 58 of our 174 members have notified me that they have done so. The designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’ will facilitate their access to vaccination, since most states are prioritising essential workers in their national Covid-19 vaccination programmes, in accordance with the WHO SAGE Roadmap.

“Seafarers’ lives and work have been affected dramatically by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the last quarter of 2020, the estimated number of seafarers globally waiting to either be relieved or join their ships stood at 400,000. Now, in May 2021, thanks to the collaborative efforts of IMO member states, the shipping industry, social partners and IMO’s sister UN agencies, the number is currently estimated to be about 200,000.

“However, this figure is still unacceptably high and the humanitarian crisis at sea is by no means over. Seafarers still face enormous challenges concerning repatriation, travelling to join their ships, proper access to medical care and shore leave”.

Lim said despite these challenges, the seafarers on board ships had continued to work and provide essential services for the global population.

Maritime

NSEMA Blames Boat Mishap On Overloading

Published

6 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Management of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has attributed the recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 29 passengers to overloading.

Director General of the Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Minna.

Arah stated that preliminary findings showed that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a submerged tree stump.

“Our desk officer who’s leading the search and rescue operations confirmed that the boat left Tungan Sule with 90 people on board, including women and children, on their way to Dugga for a condolence visit”, he explained.

He disclosed that none of the passengers wore life jackets, despite repeated sensitization and government directives on water safety in the state.

“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 passengers rescued alive, while two people are still missing”, Arah added.

The Managing Director noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to recover the remaining victims.

“At least 29 people have been confirmed dead while several others remain missing after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State”, he said.

Arah said the ill-fated boat set out from Tungan Sule in Shagunu Ward, and was heading to Dugga Community for a condolence visit when tragedy struck at Gausawa.

Eyewitnesses said the vessel was carrying mostly women and children on board and suddenly began to experience difficulties before it eventually capsized.

Maritime

Customs Records N3.68tn Revenue In First Half, 2025

Published

6 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said the Service has recorded a revenue of N3.68 trillion in the first half of 2025.

The Service said the amount surpassed its revenue target by N390.20 billion, equivalent to 11.85 per cent.

Spokesman of NCS Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja.

Maiwada said the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) did a comprehensive review of the revenue, which was announced at its 63rd regular meeting.

The meeting, he said, was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

The Spokesman saidthe Board linked the achievement to the effectiveness of NCS`s ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations alongside service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.

Maiwada said, “between 1st January and 30th June, 2025, the Service recorded a total revenue collection of N3,682,496,530,576.48, representing a remarkable performance above expectations.

“In practical terms, this signifies that within six months, the NCS has already achieved 55.93 per cent of its annual revenue target”, he said.

On the Trade Modernisation Project, he said the Board acknowledged milestones recorded, including wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and arrival of six scanners, including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection.

Other achievements recorded by NCS include, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, and reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture.

The statement said the Board acknowledged that these developments further aligned with Nigeria’s clearance processes with international best practices.

According to Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, congratulated the newly appointed and promoted officers and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, and also appreciated the Minister of Finance for what called “his continued support and guidance”.

Maritime

Shippers Partner NAPTIP, MMS Against Human Trafficking

Published

6 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it would partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Money Management Series (MMS) to eliminate human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.

The Council said the collaboration would boost surveillance and collaborate with NAPTIP and MMS to combat this economic crime.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius, made this known recently to newsmen during an interview.

He said the Council is commitment to supporting the fight against human trafficking, particularly stowaway and related crimes.

Pius assured NAPTIP and MMS of the Council’s readiness to provide necessary support to actualize their aspirations.

Earlier, the Director, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, outlined the importance of strategic partnerships with agencies such as the NSC in preventing and reporting trafficking activities at the country’s waters.

Bello commended the NSC’s role in overseeing critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transport system.

Also Speaking, member, Women of Fortune Hall of Fame (WOFHoF) initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, referenced a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the global shipping industry lost $8.9 million to 364 stowaways between February 2020 and February 2021.

The statistic, she said, underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking.

“The NSC, NAPTIP, and MMS are set to work together to strengthen surveillance and prevent human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.

“This partnership aims to protect the nation’s trade and transport system from the scourge of human trafficking”, she stated.