Nigerian Shippers’ Council Joins Push To Scrap War Risk Premiums Ahead Of MAMAL 2025

 ... Shippers' Council Boss To Attend MARAN Summit On Maritime Insurance Reform

By Ewrhujakpor Godfrey Bivbere 

Harboursandport.com: Lagos, Nigeria - August 12, 2025: The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC has intensified its advocacy against the classification of Nigeria as a war risk zone, a designation that imposes costly insurance premiums on maritime trade. 

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN, NSC Executive Secretary, Akutah Pius, declared that Nigeria’s inclusion on the war risk list is unjustified and economically harmful.

“Does Nigeria have any business being in the war risk zone?” Akutah asked, citing the absence of terrorist activity or piracy in Nigerian waters over the past three years. He emphasized that the war risk label unfairly burdens Nigerian-bound cargo with inflated insurance costs, undermining the competitiveness of the country’s ports.

Akutah commended MARAN for its consistent efforts in promoting maritime sector reforms and cost reduction. He described the upcoming MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture, MAMAL 2025 as timely and critical, with its theme: “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade.”

“We are proud of the work your association is doing,” Akutah said, acknowledging MARAN’s role in shaping public discourse and policy around maritime development. He affirmed the Council’s full participation in the summit and expressed personal interest in attending, noting the event’s alignment with NSC’s mandate to lower the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

The NSC boss also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to remove Nigeria from the war risk list. 

However, he stressed that advocacy must extend beyond government and involve all industry stakeholders.

“This is how we will develop our sector—by being proactive, not just criticising, but offering solutions,” he said.

MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, praised the NSC’s regulatory efforts and urged the Council to adopt a broader strategy by engaging regional and international bodies such as the United African Shippers’ Council, UASC and the Global Shippers Forum, GSF to eliminate war risk insurance premiums.

As preparations for MAMAL 2025 gather momentum, stakeholders are hopeful that unified advocacy will lead to Nigeria’s removal from the war risk zone list—unlocking new opportunities for growth and competitiveness in the maritime sector.