Autonomous Shipping Regime: Experts Warn Against a Fire-Brigade Approach

Maritime experts have urged Nigerian authorities to begin preparing for the IMO code on autonomous surface ships, which is due to become mandatory worldwide on January 1, 2032 and allows vessels to operate remotely with minimal human intervention. At the 2026 annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, former Nigerian Ports Authority executive director Captain Olugbemiga Abidoye warned that Nigeria is behind schedule and has not amended its maritime laws to support autonomous vessels. He said legislative changes, communications systems and coordination between agencies can take years to put in place. Former NPA marine and operations general manager Captain Ihenach Ebubeogu called for port upgrades to be matched with terminal digitalisation, robotic cargo handling and workforce development.