Nigerian Shippers’ Council assures shippers won’t bear costs of new shipping technologies alone

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Thursday gave assurances that it was committed to ensuring that any added cost that would be thrown up in the implementation of new technologies toward achieving greener shipping is not borne by shippers alone.

Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, gave the assurances while giving his goodwill message at during the event commemorating the World Maritime day 2022, which held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island Lagos.

Jime was speaking on how the cost of the transition to greener fuels could be expensive and consumers would most likely be bearing the brunt, considering the volume of trade driven through the seaports.

He said: “Ships are crucial to the global economy and over 85% of all the goods and services that enter Nigeria come via the seaports. Considering this, any transition to greener fuels could be expensive, and consumers will most likely be at the receiving end due to the huge technological advancement that is required to adapt to this change.

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is committed to ensuring that the added cost thrown up in the implementation of these new technologies does not increase the cost of doing business at the Nigerian Seaports.”

Earlier, Jime commended the choice of the theme ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ in marking the 2022 World Maritime Day saying: “The International Maritime Organization (IMO) chose the theme ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ reflecting the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future. The Celebration brings together the stakeholders in the maritime sector to acknowledge its achievements whilst brainstorming ways to improve the standards in the industry.”

He added that: “The introduction of the 0.5% sulphur cap by the IMO in a bid to deal with Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from ships has given rise to concerns on how vessels can comply and how non-compliance will be dealt with around the world. The shipping industry is an important economic sector that contributes to more than 80% of global trade.

“However, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics, the shipping industry currently accounts for between 2% and 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions and could be 17% by 2050 if left unregulated.

“Our environment is constantly changing, and as it changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround and affect it. These environmental problems are prompting the need for renewable and sustainable energy across the world.”

The Shippers’ Council Chief Executive noted that the call to responsibility for the shipping sector to take action to ensure zero-net environmental pollution demands deliberate efforts.

Speaking on meeting IMO 2020 targets, Jime said the concerns would predominantly be on availability and quality of low sulphur fuel, while there would also be the need for capacity-building to strengthen institutions for implementation purposes.

“The time has come ever than before to have concerted, deliberate efforts of all concerned authorities towards adopting measures, not only to implement, but also to put in place accompanying measures to cushion the effects of this change.

“Africa’s maritime sector is bound to be affected by the IMO 2020 targets and one of the key concerns of African states is the availability, quality and supply of low Sulphur fuel and whether refineries would be able to meet new demands.

“One of the challenges is that Africa’s maritime sector is still developing and will require resources and capacity-building to strengthen institutions which are responsible for incorporating international conventions into local law, implementing the legislation and policing the environmental legislation,” Jime said.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation for recognizing the need to create a platform for discussing such important matters that affect both the Nigerian maritime industry and the global maritime industry and environment.

He charged participants at the event to bring in their best ideas that can have a better impact on the maritime industry.