By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Managing Partner of the Maritime and Commercial Law Chambers, Barrister Osuala Emmanuel Nwagbara, has called for the urgent implementation of anti-harassment policies, thorough risk assessments, structured training, and confidential grievance mechanisms on Nigerian-flagged vessels, in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 provisions on occupational safety and health.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Day of the Seafarers event in Lagos, themed “My Harassment-Free Ship,“ Nwagbara, who also serves as the Legal Adviser to the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN), defined harassment and bullying as “unwanted actions—verbal, physical, or psychological—that degrade, intimidate, humiliate, or offend individuals.”
He stressed that such behavior is not only unethical but also significantly impacts mental health, safety, team cohesion, and ultimately shipboard productivity.
“With harassment comes fatigue, disconnection, and poor output. A sad ship is a slow ship. In the end, everyone loses—the seafarer, the shipowner, and even the economy,” he noted.
Nwagbara highlighted cases of verbal abuse by senior officers, bullying of female cadets, and racial discrimination, adding that seafaring is already a high-pressure profession that should not be further burdened by toxic environments.
Referencing recent developments by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Joint Working Group—such as mandatory training, possible suspension of offenders’ credentials, and harmonized global definitions of harassment and violence—Nwagbara said, “If we want better ships, we must start with better behavior. Harassment-free ships are not just ideals, they are legal and moral obligations.”
In his opening remarks, Rev. Francis Aduroja, Chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers, welcomed participants and urged seafarers to freely share their experiences, emphasizing the importance of hosting a dedicated Lagos event, despite the national commemoration by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) taking place in Port Harcourt.
Also speaking, Ms. Funmi Folorunso, Secretary General of the African Shipowners’ Association and Secretary of the Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, applauded the courage and resilience of Nigerian seafarers, particularly women who continue to thrive in the male-dominated maritime industry.
“Seafarers are one family spread across different seas and vessels. We must always protect and uplift each other,” she said.
Engr. Alalade Matthew, a seasoned Class Surveyor, shared insights on the historical challenges faced by female seafarers, recalling early incidents of harassment on African Ocean Line (AOL) vessels. While he acknowledged progress made by some Nigerian shipowners in providing opportunities for women at sea, he emphasized the need for respect, teamwork, and clear boundaries onboard.
“A harassment-free ship is not just a right; it’s the industry’s responsibility,” one of the participants remarked during the interactive session.
Several seafarers shared personal stories of harassment, abandonment, and resilience. A Bosun named Tunde recounted his ordeal of six months aboard a vessel without pay, food, or water, until the intervention of the Maritime Workers Union. Ambassador Deborah, one of Nigeria’s pioneer female marine engineers, narrated her journey of breaking gender barriers, highlighting the critical role of mentorship and union support.
Another participant, Mr. Thomson, spoke emotionally about a colleague who lost his leg in an onboard accident and lamented the poor compensation and lack of adequate post-incident support.
Some attendees criticized inefficiencies within certain maritime unions, calling for more visible engagement through ship visits and proactive advocacy.
Responding to these concerns, Nwagbara clarified common misconceptions around employment contracts and seafarers’ entitlements, distinguishing between voyage, articled, and indefinite contracts. He stressed the need for seafarers to pursue continuous self-development, maintain good conduct, and uphold professional ethics.
His presentation effectively linked global maritime advocacy to the local Nigerian context, with the voices of the nation’s seafarers echoing a strong demand for safer, more respectful shipboard environments.
