The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has stressed that achieving net-zero emissions in the global maritime industry will require more than ambitious climate targets. According to the agency, stronger international collaboration, access to reliable emissions data, technology transfer, capacity building, and sustainable climate financing are essential if developing nations are to successfully navigate the transition.
Speaking ahead of the conference, NIMASA's Director of Marine Environment Management, Dr. Oma Ofodile, said Nigeria would use the platform to amplify the concerns of developing countries, particularly those in Africa, which continue to face significant challenges in adopting green shipping technologies.
She noted that while the global maritime industry is increasingly embracing decarbonisation, many developing economies lack the infrastructure, technical expertise, and financial resources necessary to meet emerging environmental standards.
According to Ofodile, the future of sustainable shipping will depend not only on environmental commitments but also on the ability of nations to secure technology, develop human capital, generate accurate emissions data, and mobilise adequate funding.
Collaboration Remains Key to Africa's Green Shipping Future
Reflecting on lessons from recent international climate engagements, Ofodile said Nigeria has learned that no country can successfully achieve maritime decarbonisation alone.
She recalled that during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, NIMASA championed the creation of an African coalition aimed at supporting the implementation of the International Maritime Organisation's greenhouse gas reduction strategy.
The proposal was driven by a shared understanding that African nations face similar obstacles in their efforts to transition to low-carbon shipping and would benefit from collective action.
"We recognised early that collaboration would be essential. No single country can successfully navigate this transition alone. African countries need to work together, share experiences, attract investments, and build common positions on key issues," she said.
According to her, growing cooperation among African countries has helped strengthen discussions around maritime sustainability and highlighted common priorities across the continent.
Data Deficit Threatens Emissions Reduction Efforts
One of the major outcomes of those engagements, Ofodile explained, is the growing recognition that reliable emissions data must serve as the foundation of any meaningful decarbonisation strategy.
She disclosed that Nigeria's partnership with University College London to develop a national maritime emissions inventory exposed significant shortcomings in existing data collection systems.
The study revealed that much of the information required to accurately assess emissions within Nigeria's maritime sector is still gathered manually, reducing accuracy and limiting long-term planning.
"You cannot effectively manage what you cannot measure. Before discussing emission reduction targets or financing mechanisms, we needed to understand the actual emissions profile of the Nigerian maritime sector," she said.
The findings, she added, underscored the urgent need for digitalisation and modern monitoring systems capable of delivering continuous and accurate emissions data.
As a result, Nigeria developed the Nigerian Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, a digital framework designed to systematically collect, analyse, and update emissions information across the maritime industry.
Ofodile described the initiative as one of the first of its kind on the African continent, noting that it could provide a useful template for other countries seeking to improve transparency and accountability in emissions reporting.
She added that accurate data would be indispensable in measuring progress towards the International Maritime Organisation's target of achieving net-zero emissions from international shipping around the middle of the century.
Infrastructure and Technology Gaps Persist
Beyond data collection, Ofodile identified technology deficits as another major hurdle facing developing nations.
She noted that many African ports remain ill-equipped to support emerging low-carbon shipping technologies, placing them at a disadvantage as the maritime sector undergoes rapid transformation.
Facilities such as shore power systems, smart port infrastructure, digital platforms, automated operations, and advanced energy solutions are expected to become increasingly important in the coming years as shipping gradually shifts away from traditional fossil fuels.
"Many ports around the world are already investing in automation, digital systems, and advanced energy infrastructure. Nigeria must also move in that direction if it wants to remain competitive in the future maritime economy," she said.
She further explained that the adoption of alternative fuels and cleaner vessel technologies would require new technical skills across the industry.
According to her, seafarers, engineers, port operators, regulators, and other maritime professionals will need specialised training to effectively adapt to evolving technologies and environmental regulations.
Climate Finance Still the Biggest Challenge
Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity and infrastructure, Ofodile maintained that financing remains the most significant obstacle to maritime decarbonisation in many developing countries.
She noted that the transition to greener shipping involves enormous costs, ranging from port modernisation and emissions monitoring systems to workforce development and alternative fuel infrastructure.
"Finance is critical. Whether you are talking about smart ports, digital infrastructure, emissions monitoring systems, or capacity building, all these require significant funding," she said.
While acknowledging the existence of several international climate finance initiatives, she observed that many developing nations struggle to access available funding because of institutional weaknesses and technical barriers.
She therefore called for stronger coordination among international stakeholders and improved support mechanisms to help developing countries implement emissions-reduction projects.
Ofodile also emphasised the need for governments to design projects that meet international funding standards in order to attract investment and unlock climate finance opportunities.
Nigeria Seeks Stronger Partnerships at Ocean Conference
Looking ahead to the Our Ocean Conference, Ofodile said Nigeria's message would focus on building stronger partnerships among governments, international organisations, development institutions, and private sector investors.
She argued that maritime decarbonisation should not be viewed solely as an environmental obligation but also as a pathway to innovation, industrial growth, job creation, and broader economic development.
According to her, countries that invest early in green technologies, skills development, and sustainable maritime infrastructure will be better positioned to benefit from opportunities emerging within the global blue economy.
"The transition must be inclusive, practical, and equitable. Developing countries are committed to supporting climate action, but they need adequate support to implement ambitious targets," she said.
As the global maritime community prepares for critical discussions in Kenya, Nigeria is expected to push for a transition framework that balances environmental ambition with the realities facing developing economies, ensuring that no country is left behind in the race towards a cleaner shipping future.