By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has trained 20 of its members in shipping, port management, maritime safety and other key areas of the maritime industry, reaffirming its commitment to continuous professional development and improved maritime reporting.
The Graduate Induction Training Programme, organised in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN), ended on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Participants who successfully complete the programme are expected to receive a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Shipping.
The training was designed to deepen members’ understanding of the technical, operational and regulatory aspects of the maritime industry and equip them to report developments in the sector with greater accuracy and insight.
The programme covered maritime safety and security, integrated marine environment management, shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, as well as the marine and blue economy.
Speaking during the training, a CISN lecturer, Mr Patrick Ambakederimo, examined the importance of maritime safety and security to efficient shipping operations and the protection of lives, vessels and cargo.
He highlighted the need for strict compliance with safety regulations, regular inspections, proper crew training and effective emergency response procedures to minimise risks associated with vessel operations and cargo handling.
Ambakederimo also emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing, effective surveillance and collaboration among relevant agencies in addressing security threats within the maritime domain.
He explained that while maritime safety focuses on preventing accidents and operational hazards, maritime security addresses deliberate threats and unlawful activities at sea and within port facilities.
Another CISN lecturer, Mr Sunday Duru, spoke on integrated marine environment management, drawing attention to the environmental challenges arising from shipping activities, port operations and coastal development.
Duru highlighted the effects of oil spills, plastic pollution, improper waste disposal and the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems. He stressed the need for environmental monitoring, effective waste management, pollution prevention and enforcement of relevant environmental regulations.
He also called for greater cooperation among government agencies, maritime operators, environmental organisations and coastal communities to protect Nigeria’s marine environment.
Other courses exposed participants to the commercial and operational aspects of shipping and port management, cargo clearance procedures and documentation, and the economic opportunities available in the blue economy, including fisheries and coastal tourism.
Speaking on the initiative, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the association was committed to equipping its members with the specialised knowledge required to report maritime developments accurately and professionally.
Onigbinde noted that maritime journalism requires more than the ability to gather information and write news stories, explaining that reporters must understand the policies, regulations, commercial transactions and operational processes that shape the industry.
He said a better understanding of these issues would enable journalists to analyse developments more effectively, scrutinise decisions by industry stakeholders and explain complex maritime matters to the public.
The MARAN president pledged that the association would sustain its capacity-building efforts through partnerships with maritime institutions, government agencies and private-sector operators.
According to him, the association would continue to seek opportunities for members to acquire specialised knowledge and stay abreast of developments in shipping, port operations, maritime security, international trade and the blue economy.
Onigbinde expressed confidence that the knowledge gained from the programme would improve the quality of participants’ reports, particularly in areas relating to port efficiency, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and government policies affecting the sector.
The training comes amid ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s port competitiveness, strengthen maritime security and unlock the economic potential of the country’s marine resources.
Through the initiative, MARAN aims to bridge the knowledge gap between journalism and the technical realities of the shipping industry, while strengthening the capacity of its members to deliver accurate, balanced and informed reports on Nigeria’s maritime sector.
