NIMASA, China MSA signal pact on maritime cooperation

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and China Maritime Safety Administration, China MSA have strengthened bilateral maritime relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Cooperation in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in six key areas: maritime security and navigation, marine environmental safety, seafarer coaching, certification and rights safety, marine casualty and incident investigation, maritime transportation facilitation, and maritime safety.

Speaking on the signing ceremony held on the Shanghai Seafarers Assessment Model Centre, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the settlement as a historic milestone within the relationship between each nations, stressing the necessity to translate the MoU into sensible programmes and tangible advantages for his or her respective maritime sector.

“This Memorandum of Understanding represents more than a formal agreement; it is a commitment to translate our longstanding relationship into practical maritime cooperation, shared expertise and measurable benefits for both countries. We are determined to ensure that this partnership delivers tangible outcomes for our maritime industries”, Mobereola acknowledged.

Dr. Mobereola additional acknowledged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR values Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with China and is dedicated to deepening bilateral cooperation, notably within the maritime sector, in keeping with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the goals of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, below the Leadership of His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.

On his half, the Director General of China MSA, Mr. Xu Wei, reaffirmed China’s dedication to strengthening maritime cooperation with Nigeria, noting the nation’s curiosity in Nigeria’s maritime growth and commendable progress within the sector. He pledged China’s continued help in the direction of advancing bilateral collaboration and selling sustainable progress in each nations’ maritime industries.

The settlement is predicted to facilitate technical cooperation, knowledge-sharing, capability growth and the trade of finest practices, whereas strengthening institutional collaboration between NIMASA and China MSA.

The signing marks a big step in the direction of deepening Nigeria-China maritime cooperation and advancing the event of Nigeria’s maritime trade.