A regional workshop conducted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Lagos, Nigeria, has strengthened port State control (PSC) capacity in West and Central Africa by building a pool of national trainers who will, in turn, train Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) in their respective countries. The activity will promote harmonization and coordination of PSC activities across the region.
Port State control is a vital mechanism to ensure that visiting ships comply with international standards on safety, security, and environmental protection. Effective regional cooperation and harmonized PSC practices are essential to eliminate substandard shipping and promote consistency across the region.
The regional train-the-trainer workshop on Port State Control for Abuja MoU Maritime Authorities (10-14 November 2025) brought together 31 participants from 22 countries to support the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the region.
Hosted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and organized in collaboration with IMO under its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), the training was conducted with the support of the Abuja MoU on Port State Control. Under the Abuja MoU, West and Central African maritime authorities agree to develop and implement a common mechanism to harmonise PSC activities.
The training covered inspection procedures, reporting, performance improvement strategies, and risk management. Participants explored strategies for monitoring compliance, managing risks, and strengthening their national maritime frameworks in line with international best practices.
In line with IMO's commitment to gender balance, five women participated in the workshop following IMO's encouragement for Member States to nominate female candidates.
The workshop was jointly funded through the IMO's Technical Cooperation Fund and financial support from Malaysia. Participating States included: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Togo.
