Merchant Navy Union Proposes Strategic Policies To Strengthen Maritime Laws

By Roland Ekama 

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA) has put forward strategic policy proposals aimed at reinforcing maritime laws and enforcement in Nigeria.

The union’s recommendations focus on enhancing maritime law enforcement by boosting the Nigerian Navy’s operational capacity, improving port security through advanced surveillance technologies and stronger collaboration, and promoting international cooperation for intelligence sharing and resolution of maritime boundary disputes.

Comrade Chief Engineer Bob Joseph Yousuo, National President of NMNO/WTSSA, presented these ideas on Thursday July 24, 2025, during an interactive session with Defence Intelligence College in Port Harcourt.

His presentation, titled “Enhancing National Security Through Strategic Policies and Innovation: A Seafarers’ Perspective in Nigeria,” emphasized the critical contributions of Nigeria’s maritime sector to the national economy and recognized the establishment of the Ministry of Blue and Marine Economy as a key governmental support.

Yousuo outlined major security challenges including piracy, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, smuggling, and maritime boundary conflicts with neighboring countries. These threats endanger seafarers, disrupt commerce, cause economic harm, and raise environmental concerns.

He advocated for innovative solutions such as advanced maritime domain awareness using tracking systems and AI analytics, robust cybersecurity to safeguard maritime infrastructure, and adoption of autonomous surveillance technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles.

From the seafarers’ perspective, he called for improved training, capacity-building, adherence to international safety and welfare standards, and stronger cooperation between seafarers and maritime authorities. He also stressed the need to rigorously enforce the Cabotage Act to reinforce Nigeria’s control over domestic shipping, fight smuggling, and combat human trafficking.

Yousuo concluded that an integrated approach combining strategic policy, technological advancement, and prioritization of seafarers’ welfare is essential to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain, protect economic interests, and create a safer environment for all stakeholders.

This presentation underscores of the Trade Union Congress TUC affiliate’s commitment under Yousuo’s leadership to advocate for maritime security reforms and seafarers’ rights, aligning with Nigeria’s broader national security objectives in the maritime sector.