Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Government of Denmark has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and development of Nigeria’s maritime industry while seeking new areas of economic collaboration.
This assurance was given by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen, during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.
Jansen stated that there is a long-standing diplomatic and economic relations between both nations, noting that Danish government agencies and private companies have, for decades, invested significantly in Nigeria’s maritime sector. He expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to expand, especially in areas such as seafarer training and maritime security.
Welcoming the delegation, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the Danish Government for its sustained engagement with Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He said, “On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Government, I extend our appreciation to the Danish Government for its long-term partnership and support for our maritime industry. Danish companies have made notable contributions to port development and operational efficiency, and we believe this collaboration will continue to thrive.
Key areas of cooperation between both countries include capacity building and professional training in maritime security, as well as joint initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Danish firms such as APM Terminals have made major investments in port infrastructure across Lagos, Onne, and Kano. Additionally, Denmark is supporting advanced training programmes such as the “Ship-in-a-Box” (SIAB) simulator project, implemented with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to strengthen the operational capacity of Nigerian maritime law enforcement officers in Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
