The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to hold its 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) on August 28, 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, with a strong focus on exposing alleged fraudulent practices by international shipping lines and advocating for the removal of War Risk Premiums imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
This year’s lecture, themed “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigerian Maritime Trade,” will spotlight what MARAN describes as “systemic extortion” under the guise of War Risk Insurance—an outdated surcharge that continues to be levied despite the significant improvement in security within the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking on the upcoming event, MARAN President Mr. Godfrey Bivbere described the War Risk Premiums (WRP) as an “international fraud” that unjustly penalizes Nigeria’s economy. “Despite our improved maritime security, foreign shipping lines continue to burden us with excessive surcharges that have no basis in current realities,” he said.
According to findings by MARAN, the surcharges vary widely—ranging from $445,000 per voyage for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to $525,000 per voyage for new container vessels. Additionally, some shipping companies, including Maersk, are said to impose further charges such as transit disruption surcharges and war risk surcharges of $40–$50 per 20-foot container.
This, MARAN warns, is stifling trade and worsening the economic burden on Nigerian businesses and consumers.
The group argues that these charges remain in place despite official confirmation by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, that Nigeria has recorded zero pirate attacks in its waters over the past three years. This milestone has been largely credited to the success of the Deep Blue Project, a multi-billion naira security architecture spearheaded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Yet, MARAN points out, international shipping lines continue to extract millions of dollars under the pretext of war risk, disregarding Nigeria’s tangible progress in maritime security.
Reinforcing this position, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, during a meeting with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2025, urged the global community to recognize Nigeria’s efforts. “We have maintained nearly zero incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea in the last four years,” he said. “There is no justification for the continued imposition of war risk premiums on vessels heading to Nigerian ports.”
MARAN insists that MAMAL 2025 will serve as a clarion call to local and international stakeholders to reassess the current classification of Nigerian waters as high-risk, and to demand accountability from global shipping interests.
Bivbere also criticized the indifferent attitude of some international shipping firms operating in Nigeria, stating, “They have shown a lackadaisical and complacent attitude toward Nigeria’s economic and social wellbeing.”
MAMAL 2025 will provide an in-depth look at the origins, implications, and legitimacy of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI), as well as the role played by entities such as Lloyd’s of London, classification societies, NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and other security and maritime regulators.
The lecture is expected to attract over 500 key stakeholders from across the maritime value chain, including shipowners, terminal operators, international shipping lines, maritime security experts, insurers, diplomats, regulators, and legal practitioners.
