Blog
AMCAN Engages NIMASA on Maritime Labour Challenges, Digital Reforms
AMCAN Engages NIMASA on Maritime Labour Challenges, Digital Reforms
LAGOS – The Association of Manning and Crewing Agents of Nigeria (AMCAN) held strategic discussions with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to address critical challenges facing the maritime labour sector.
The high-level meeting, held at NIMASA’s Lagos headquarters, brought together AMCAN executives and Mr. Jibril Abba, Executive Director for Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, to discuss regulatory frameworks, licensing processes, and seafarer welfare issues.
AMCAN executives presented a comprehensive overview of challenges confronting manning agents, Nigerian seafarers, and the broader maritime labour industry. The discussions centered on several critical areas:
– Licensing processes and agent compliance requirements
– Seafarer welfare and protection measures
– Impact of cabotage policies on local operators
– Regulatory framework governing manning operations
– Digital system implementation needs
– Compliance obligations including pension remittances and certificate verification
– Measures to eliminate unqualified operators from the industry
Both organizations emphasized the urgent need for efficient digital systems to streamline maritime labour operations. The discussions highlighted ongoing bottlenecks in traditional processes and the potential for automation to improve service delivery.
AMCAN President Mr. Clement Ebi outlined the association’s commitment to supporting NIMASA’s regulatory oversight while ensuring manning agents’ concerns are addressed in policy implementation. He highlighted AMCAN’s initiatives to promote transparency and compliance, including the launch of a digital membership registration platform.
“We remain committed to supporting NIMASA’s regulatory mandate while ensuring that the voice of manning agents is heard in policy formulation and implementation,” Ebi stated during the meeting.
Executive Director Jibril Abba emphasized NIMASA’s commitment to automation and digitization as solutions to long-standing operational challenges in the maritime sector. He acknowledged AMCAN’s proactive role in advancing manning agents’ interests and pledged continued partnership.
“We are driving toward comprehensive automation and digitization of our processes to eliminate bottlenecks that have hindered efficient service delivery,” Abba said, commending AMCAN’s collaborative approach.
The meeting underscored both organizations’ shared commitment to maintaining high industry standards by ensuring that only qualified seafarers and properly registered agents operate within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Discussions also covered the need for robust compliance mechanisms and the importance of protecting seafarer welfare while maintaining competitive maritime operations under the cabotage regime.
The engagement reflects growing collaboration between AMCAN and NIMASA to address systemic challenges in Nigeria’s maritime labour sector. Both parties expressed commitment to continued dialogue and joint efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance and improve industry standards.
The meeting signals a renewed focus on digitalization and stakeholder engagement as key strategies for modernizing Nigeria’s maritime labour administration and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.