NIMENA Launches Trend Report for the Advancement of Shipbuilding.
....._Seeks Nigeria's Emergence as Africa's Maritime Hub_
The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has launched a landmark Trend Report on the Advancement of Shipbuilding in Nigeria, unveiling a strategic roadmap aimed at positioning the country as Africa's leading hub for shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore engineering and maritime innovation.
Developed in collaboration with Plug and Play Singapore, the report provides a forward-looking assessment of Nigeria's readiness to compete in the global shipbuilding industry. It outlines practical strategies for building a globally competitive maritime manufacturing ecosystem through engineering excellence, technological innovation, digital transformation and policy reforms.
According to the report, Nigeria is well positioned to take advantage of the evolving global maritime industry due to its status as Africa's largest maritime economy, a growing offshore energy sector, expanding local content initiatives, an emerging innovation ecosystem and increasing government support. It notes that the country's focus should be on developing a technology-driven and innovation-led maritime industry rather than competing with established global shipbuilding giants on production volume.
The publication examines global trends shaping the shipbuilding industry, compares Nigeria's maritime sector with those of countries such as China, Singapore and South Africa, and identifies emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital twins, robotics, blockchain-enabled supply chains and smart shipyard, as critical to accelerating indigenous shipbuilding and maritime industrialisation.
Speaking at the launch, NIMENA National Chairman, Engr. Dr. Eferebo I. Sylvanus, described the report as a defining milestone in Nigeria's maritime industrial development.
He said the future of maritime leadership would be determined not only by the size of shipyards or the number of vessels built but also by the ability of nations to innovate, engineer and sustainably transform their maritime ecosystems. He added that the report represents a national call to action for building a resilient, technology-driven maritime industry capable of positioning Nigeria as Africa's foremost centre for shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore innovation and maritime industrial development.
The report also reveals that Nigeria currently has 27 accredited shipyards with strong capabilities in vessel repair, maintenance and offshore support services, while highlighting digital technologies, engineering innovation and smart manufacturing as the country's greatest opportunities for closing competitiveness gaps. It recommends a phased development strategy beginning with digital technologies, followed by engineering capability development and eventually advanced manufacturing and automation.
As part of efforts to drive policy implementation, NIMENA said the report would be transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, relevant committees of the National Assembly, the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Shippers' Council and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), among other stakeholders.
The institution expressed confidence that the recommendations contained in the report would deepen local content, strengthen indigenous shipbuilding capacity, promote engineering innovation, create high-value employment and support Nigeria's emergence as Africa's leading maritime industrial hub. It also called on government agencies, investors, financial institutions, research institutions, universities and private sector players to collaborate in implementing the report's recommendations.
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