Denmark committed working with Nigeria on sustainable and inclusive maritime development – Consul General

Consul General of Denmark in Lagos, Ms. Jette Bjerrum, says there are abundant opportunities to deepen cooperation between Denmark and Nigeria in maritime transport, security and safety, green maritime solutions, shipbuilding, digitalisation and, indeed, data-driven services.

The Consul General maintained that the innovation that has happened in the maritime sector from a Danish perspective definitely makes us very curious to see what is happening in Nigeria and how we are going to collaborate.

Ms. Jette Bjerrum, who made this position known while speaking in Lagos at a recent citizen and stakeholders’ forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, posited that globally, the marine and blue economy is increasingly recognised as a driver for sustainable growth, job creation, food security and climate resilience.

The consul general was of the view that the theme of the forum – Enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable implementation of the national policy of marine and blue economy – was timely and indeed highly relevant.

According to her, Denmark remains committed to working with Nigeria to advance sustainable and inclusive maritime development.

She said “I want to share a few words about the Danish perspective, because indeed the maritime sector, it is what defines our DNA. It has been defining our country for the last several thousand years.

“We are a nation of seafarers and the innovation that has happened in this sector from a Danish perspective definitely also makes us very curious  to see what’s happening in Nigeria and how are we going to collaborate.

“The theme enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable implementation of the national policy of marine and blue economy is timely and indeed highly relevant. Globally, the marine and blue economy is increasingly recognised as a driver for sustainable growth, job creation, food security and climate resilience.

“The maritime sector is moving from traditional transportation to industrial regulations, industrial policy  and for sure an export platform as well. Realising this potential depends on effective collaboration across sectors and institutions. And in Denmark, it comes to this conversation as a long-standing maritime nation with experience across shipbuilding, shipping, port operations, fisheries, offshore energy, and marine innovation.

“We are truly a seafarer’s nation and our maritime sector has undergone huge modernisation over the past years. Our approach has consistently emphasised ecosystem integration,  linking economic activity with the sustainability,  strong governance and practical solutions.  Private sector, government policy making, investors, regulators  and many innovation clusters surrounding the sector.”

Adding “Denmark and Nigeria share a strong maritime identity.  In both countries, ocean industries are central to trade and development. It is encouraging to see Nigeria strengthening the coordination through the federal minister of marine and blue economy and gaining recognition internationally,  including its election to the category C council of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.

“We indeed congratulate Honourable Minister and Nigeria  for this amazing achievement. I think Denmark is focused on supporting greener and more efficient maritime practices, including emissions reduction and the use of digital technologies to improve safety and operations. These efforts align with broader international initiatives such as the IMO Green Voids 2050 programme, which Denmark supports and Nigeria actually participates in.

“We were encouraged to hear positive reports from Nigeria’s recent workshop on the development of its national maritime decarbonisation action plan, which was held about a month ago. Denmark also evaluated partnership with Nigeria in maritime security through the Gulf of Guinea maritime security programme,  which supports maritime domain awareness, response capabilities  and institutional capacity across the region. Our Defence Adjutant, Mr. Henrik Laugesen, who is based in Abuja, is closely connected to these initiatives.”

On the purpose of the Defence Adjutant, Ms. Jette Bjerrum said “And I can tell you it’s a special investment from the Danish side that we have again appointed a Defence Adjutant to Nigeria. It’s part of our Africa Century Strategy initiatives.  In addition, Danish companies continue to engage in Nigeria’s port and logistics sector.

“And, of course, Denmark is home to AP Møller Mearsk and AP Terminals.  It has been a longstanding presence in Nigeria since 2006. So the APM Terminals has large-scale investments in the Apapa Container Terminal in the port and its inland container terminal in Kano.

“180 Danish companies are actually organised in the Danish Maritime Organisation. It’s an umbrella organisation that represents the Danish maritime sector. And they also stand strong to support maritime collaboration. And, indeed, the organizations would love to come and visit Nigeria. I actually talked to them recently when I was in Denmark. Nigeria’s marine and blue economy holds considerable promise.

“The national policy provides a strong framework with a national policy on marine and blue economy 25 to 34. And engagements as such help us ensure the implementation remains inclusive, coordinated and responsive to stakeholder needs. So looking ahead, there are opportunities to deepen cooperation in maritime transport, security and safety, green maritime solutions, shipbuilding, digitalisation and, indeed, data-driven services.

“And these areas can strengthen the value chain, improve efficiency and support better decision-making across the sector. So Denmark remains committed to working with Nigeria to advance sustainable and inclusive maritime development. We believe there’s a significant potential for collaboration that deliver mutual benefits while contributing also to the global sustainability goals.”

Concluding, she commended the  Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, over his exemplary leadership and vision for the ministry and all the agencies for your great work.  “This gathering reflects the important truth. Progress in the marine and blue economy sector is inherent and it’s a shared endeavour,” submitted Jette Bjerrum, saying saying “I bring warm greetings from the government of Denmark and indeed also our Ambassador Jens Ole Bach Hansen, whom we know that Honourable Minister, you had a meeting with him.”