Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that decarbonisation and the adoption of green maritime practices have become a strategic competitive advantage for the global shipping industry rather than merely an environmental obligation.
Peterside made the assertion while delivering the keynote address at a high-level webinar organised by Naturehedge in collaboration with the West Africa Green Economic Development Institute (WAGEDI), Gregory University, SSA Hub, and the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN).
Speaking on the theme, “Green Maritime: Strategy and Operations Beyond Optics,” the maritime regulation and compliance expert stressed that sustainability now directly influences operational costs, access to finance, profitability and the ability of shipping companies to remain in business.
“Green maritime is about environmentally sustainable practices, technologies, and policies that reduce impact on the environment,” Peterside said.
He argued that the future of the maritime industry lies in combining decarbonisation with digitalisation, innovation and operational excellence, noting that organisations that embed sustainability into their operations will be better positioned to thrive.
According to him, green maritime should no longer be viewed as a branding exercise but as a measurable driver of operational efficiency and long-term resilience.
Peterside also highlighted the impact of stricter international regulations, noting that 2026 will usher in tighter International Maritime Organisation (IMO) carbon-intensity requirements alongside expanded exposure of shipping operators to the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
He said the industry must embrace practical strategies such as voyage optimisation, just-in-time port arrivals, the adoption of alternative fuels including methanol, ammonia and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as digital technologies and safety-focused workforce training.
The webinar attracted shipowners, port authorities, regulators, financiers, shipping operators and energy sector stakeholders, with discussions centred on integrating sustainability into daily operations and financing models.
Also speaking, President of the Governing Council of REEEAA and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of SEPAN, Professor Magnus Onuoha, announced that the webinar would serve as a precursor to a major pan-regional workshop scheduled to hold in Accra, Ghana.
Managing Director of Damen Shipyards South Africa, Madam Hermione Manuel, also underscored the commercial benefits of green maritime, describing it as a combination of competitiveness, sustainability and regulatory compliance. She highlighted her company’s hybrid vessel initiatives as examples of the industry’s transition towards cleaner shipping.
Organisers said the webinar series would continue periodically ahead of the Accra workshop to deepen strategic and operational expertise on maritime decarbonisation across Africa.
