Since the extinction of Nigerian national Shipping Line (NNSL), the public understanding of Merchant Shipping which provides over 90% of goods and services globally has become an alien in Nigeria. Equally too Merchant Shipping that used to provide job opportunities for Nigerian youths has become a thing of the past and a few seafarers employed by private individuals in Nigeria and foreigners have had their welfare issues unattended to.
Furthermore, maritime training has been left in the hands of unprofessional individuals that have engaged themselves to train jobless youths that have taken maritime crimes such as sea robbery, piracy, illegal bunkering, etc. All of these have contributed to insecurity in Nigerian maritime environment leading to diversion of maritime activities including fishing to neighbouring countries. Towards this end, concerned and experienced Seafarers (Marine Captains, Marine Engineers, Seals, Security Experts, Investigators, Intelligent Officers, Navy Seals, Maritime Security Specialists, Anti Piracy Security Service, Search & Rescue Experts, Ship Security Officers, Port Security Officers, Criminologists, Military Generals,Ship Inspectors, Security Auditors, Marine Surveyors, Ship Managers, Medical Doctors, Maritime Lawyers, and I T Specialists) have formed Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria(Merchant Navy Directorate), using Merchant Shipping Acts 2007 as authority
