SCAN 2026 Summit Aims to Clear Financial Roadblocks for Indigenous Shipowners

PHOTO: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola (top left), DG NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, MD NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and Executive Secretary NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah

By Saheed Olatunji, Reporter

Preparations are underway for the 2026 Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) summit, focusing on financial and regulatory solutions for Nigeria’s local shipowners.

The high-level gathering will take place on October 29, 2026, at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos.

Centered around the theme “Low-Risk Capital For Indigenous Shipowners: Overcoming Regulatory, Financial Bottlenecks,”the summit aims to chart actionable pathways for unlocking adequate funding and creating an enabling environment that increases the participation and capacity of Nigerian-owned vessels in the domestic and international waters.

SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, said despite Nigeria’s rich maritime potential, foreign operators have continued to dominate the nation’s maritime domain controlling over 95% of the carriage of Nigerian imports, exports, and associated freight earnings, while the local participation remains critically low, with indigenous ship owners capturing only about 4% to 5% of the market.

Noting that this was largely due to systemic funding gaps, high interest rates, and regulatory bottlenecks faced by local fleet operators, Ebosele said the 2026 SCAN Summit is expected to bring together key decision-makers, regulatory bodies, maritime experts, and primary lending institutions to forge sustainable solutions and bridge the financing gap for local shipowners.

Renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (OON) will deliver the keynote address, while the event will be chaired by former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Temisan Omatseye.

Other guests of honour expected to grace the event are; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and the Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, among other key industry regulators and policymakers who are billed to grace the event.

Through structured panel discussions and strategic dialogues, the summit aims to deliver practical recommendations that will enhance local vessel ownership, boost national fleet capacity, and bolster Nigeria’s blue economy.