Comet Shipping declares commitment to clean maritime environment, launches ship-shaped waste collector

Cleanliness is next to godliness. But how clean is the Nigerian maritime space?  Our marine and maritime environments, our waterways, are littered with wastes, plastics, industrial remnants, oil pollution, hyacinths. These are avoidable; but, fortunately, they are removable. The quayside, the terminals, the warehouses, our offices and the port access roads can be cleaner, more inviting only if we paid a little more attention.

This truism underlines Comet Shipping Agencies’ recent commitment to Climate Change and its impacts on the earth, most especially the maritime environment.

On Friday, October 30, 2026, Comet Shipping Agencies, owner of Five Star Logistics Terminal, affirmed its commitment to the Green Maritime Environment Initiative when it launched specially designed, ship-shaped metal waste collectors.

Top official of Apapa Local Government Area, leading shipping organisations such as Cosco, Sallaum Lines, MSC, Gulf Maritime Nig Enterprise,  Darshine Enterprise, and other customers graced the occasion.

A day earlier, Comet staff had embarked on the cleaning exercise of some streets within Apapa Local Government Area.

The theme of the Green Maritime Environment lnitiative was “Sailing Towards a Cleaner and Greener Maritime Environment.”

Performing the launch of the ship-shaped metal waste collectors at the corporate headquarters of Comet Shipping in Apapa, the Managing Director, Mr. Rigo Nazzari, cautioned that Nigeria’s maritime industry must put sustainability as the core of its future plans as the industry could not afford the harsh impacts of climate change.

Nazzari said the industry had a responsibility to reduce environmental impact and also prepare for the challenges that climate change could bring, sounding that the transition towards greener shipping would not happen overnight.

According to him, “Climate change is no longer something the maritime industry can afford to ignore. For Nigeria, this is particularly important given the role our ports, shipping services and coastal infrastructure play in supporting trade and the wider economy.

“As an industry, we have a responsibility not only to reduce our environmental impact but also to prepare for the challenges that climate change will bring. This requires practical thinking and, above all, a willingness to invest for the future.”

To avert or ameliorate the damaging  impacts of climate change, Nazzari urged terminal operators, shipping lines and other shipping stakeholders to invest in modern cargo handling equipment in order to quicken vessel and cargo turn around times for efficiency and higher productivity .

He noted that, most importantly, stakeholders must prioritize and tackle issues around climate change critically by ensuring the development of port infrastructures especially coming up at a time when the federal government was about to embark on a modernisation project of ports in Eastern and Western Zones. This, he optimized,  would avert the looming risks associated with flooding, coastal erosion and changing weather conditions.

“There are several areas where we can make a real difference. Improving vessel efficiency, reducing unnecessary waiting times in our ports, better coordinating vessel arrivals and investing in modern cargo handling equipment are all steps that can deliver both environmental and commercial benefits.

“We must also ensure that the development of our ports, whether in Lagos, Lekki, Onne or elsewhere along our coastline, takes account of the increasing risks associated with flooding, coastal erosion and changing weather conditions.

The Comet Managing Director said it was important that operators ensure that Nigerians benefit from this transition towards greener shipping through training, skills development and opportunities for local businesses.

“The decisions we make today will determine the strength and competitiveness of our maritime industry for generations to come,” Nazzari submitted.

Mr Andrew Grayson, General Manager, Comet Shipping also noted that the average carbon footprint in Africa, with 17% of the world population, was less than one metric tonne and it was very important to discuss what climate change would do to our environment.

On what to do to curb impacts of climate change, Grayson encouraged everyone to plant trees and keep the environment clean – stop throwing of plastic around.

According to him, “If everybody just puts some extra greenery, that helps. Looking after the water environment. It is very common here, people throw plastic in the drain.  It ends up in the creeks. It ends up in the sea.

“It is affecting, and it is causing extra flooding. So simple things you can do as an individual is look after your own environment. Keep your area clean. All of these things will help.”

Enlightening stakeholders at the event on the impacts of climate change, the representative of Apapa Local Government, Mr. Sulaimon Ridwan Damilare, a sanitary officer, averred that the change in temperature and weather patterns was responsible for rising temperature and irregular rainfall, flooding and drought.

On how can we can protect ourselves from excess heat, Sulaimon encouraged everyone to take enough water, wear very light clothes and take a regular break in a cool and shady place particularly when working outdoors.

According to him, “We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves by staying hydrated, dressing appropriately and following workplace health and safety guidance.”

Mr. Haruna Danjuma, Group General Manager, Compliance & Corporate Relations, Comet Shipping Agencies, also commented that the theme of the environmental event reflected the growing responsibility of the maritime industry to take meaningful action towards protecting our environment and building a more sustainable future.

“This event is designed to bring key maritime stakeholders together to discuss practical approaches to climate action, environmental protection, responsible waste management, and sustainable maritime operations,” Haruna Danjuma noted.

In her presentation, Mrs. Soniya Jedidiah Pepple, Assistant Traffic Manager/Quality Management System Lead Auditor, Comet Shipping, observed that the maritime industry depends on the oceans, yet the future of our oceans depends, in part, on the choices we make today.

Pepple averred that environmental sustainability was not the responsibility of one organisation but collective commitment, responsible behaviour and practical action.

On the ship-shaped metal waste collector, she noted: “at Comet Shipping Agencies our introduction of a specially designed, ship-shaped metal waste collector represents more than a waste management initiative. It is a reminder that every action counts, every organisation matters, and every stakeholder has a role to play in protecting our environment.

“We may operate different businesses, fly different flags and serve different interests, but we share one ocean and one environmental future.”

She therefore called on port operators to work together to protect the ports, preserve the waterways and leave a cleaner environment for the generations to come.

“Because the true measure of our success is not only the business we build today, but also the environment we leave behind tomorrow,” said Pepple.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of awards by Comet Shipping Agencies to its partners including shipping companies and contractors who have contributed to its growth over the years. Some staff members were also given recognition awards.

A contractor and award recipient, Musa Gani, commended Comet Shipping management for recognising his contribution, noting that the award would further propel him to do more.

Receiving an award on behalf of Jobelin Limited, a logistics provider, Adebowale Samson, a staff of   Comet Shipping Clearing department, said that the company was grateful and appreciative of its longstanding and excellent working relationships with Comet.