The LTT Marine Services Limited and its sister company Depasa Shipping have received glowing reviews for their commitment to promoting female seafaring in harassment-free ships.
Some of these commendations were given by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN); during a recent summit organised by LTT Marine to mark the 2025 International Day of Seafarers.
Speaking at the summit, Mrs. Chioma Azionu, NIMASA Western Zone, stated that LTT Marine Services and Depasa Shipping have been consistent in ensuring that seafarers get the best in terms of welfare.
“On the issue of female seafarers, LTT and Depasa are among the best because when we visit for inspection we see the obvious presence of female seafarers. I appreciate the management team for making the company an enviable place for female seafarers.
“I am always happy to receive the female seafarers from LTT when they show up at our offices for their documents. Our prayer is that the company continues to grow to accommodate more seafarers. On behalf of NIMASA, we wish the seafarers a special celebration this year. Please feel free to report any form of harassment carried out onboard vessels.
“At NIMASA, we deeply appreciate the hardwork resilience and professionalism displayed by seafarers because we recognise that they are the backbone of maritime trade ensuring smooth movement of goods to sustain the nation’s economy and connect the world,” she said.
According to her, seafarers aren’t just workers, but also ambassadors of the maritime industry and safety. She reassured that NIMASA will remain committed to safety in the maritime domain.
On her part, the President of WISTA Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, stressed that while recognising the vital role that seafarers play in sustaining global trade and economic stability, efforts must be intensified to address the realities they face, especially in the areas of dignity, safety, and inclusion.
Her words: “I’m particularly encouraged by LTT’s leadership in this space. As the Nigerian company with the highest number of female seafarers in its workforce, LTT serves as a powerful example of what intentional inclusion can look like across the maritime industry. This commitment is not only worthy of praise, it is shaping a new and progressive standard for the sector.
“At the same time, we must recognize the continued challenges that many female seafarers face. These include instances of harassment and discrimination, a lack of gender sensitive facilities, limited access to leadership roles, and the experience of professional isolation while working in male dominated environments. These issues are not theoretical. They are very real, and they must be addressed with urgency.”
In her welcome address, the Group Head, Human Resources, LTT Marine Services, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, remarked that the 2025 theme by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO): “My Harassment-Free Ship” carries a unique weight.
“Sadly, for too long, many stories of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and mental distress have gone unspoken or unaddressed on vessels across the world. The IMO’s adoption of this theme reflects the growing recognition that no ship can truly be safe unless it is also safe emotionally, mentally, and socially.
“At LTT Coastal & Marine Services and Depasa Marine Nigeria Ltd, we did not wait for the IMO to speak up. Long before this global call, we had already begun to act. We recognized from experience through listening to our crew, reviewing welfare reports, Sexual Harassment Policy, and learning from incidents that real progress must start from within. That’s why our company has implemented robust internal policies to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and abuse of any kind,” Theodora said.
During a panel session at the summit, Engr. Oyewale Elijah, posited that NIMASA mustn’t stop at regulating seafarers but also advocate and champion policies that favour seafarers.
“NIMASA must set-up systems that make life easier for seafarers. People who give their all at sea shouldn’t be harassed but valued and regarded as national assets,” he opined.
He charged the maritime apex regulatory agency to not just address issues from its professional lens but its heart and display empathy that ensure that Nigerian seafarers have a dignified seafaring career.
While sharing some personal account of harassment onboard ships, the Chief Engineer onboard MT Gusau, Engr. Mariam Chuks, called support systems within shipping companies and relevant trainings to curb the menace.
“Several people are being harassed but they are not even aware because there isn’t sufficient awareness and sensitisation. At shipping companies, there should be suggestion boxes for people to drop complaints anonymously. When several people accuse one person of perpetuating harassment, the company should take the matter seriously and mete out adequate punishment,” she stated.
Mariam noted that sometimes shore-based authorities who should be receiving and addressing issues of harassment have also been perpetrators.
Another seafarer at LTT, Engr. Zainab Ayomide, stressed that competency is what is needed onboard any vessel, not race, tribe, skin colour or religion.
She, however, admonished superiors to display a high degree of empathy with their subordinates, adding that several supervisors unfairly pass aggression to young officers because of their emotional and psychological traumatic experiences.
“People lose morale, develop hatred and plan incidents onboard ships to hurt supervisors that are abusive and mean. Superiors should learn to treat their subordinates with care. Don’t hit them because they couldn’t answer a question or failed at a given task,” Zainab said.
The event was graced by several maritime amazons including; the immediate-past President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke; Nigerian Representative at WIMAFRICA, Mrs. Gloria Kanabe; President of Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF), Hon. Olaitan Williams; WISTA Diamond, Mrs. Faith Hope Alloysius
Other eminent personalities included; General Manager Administration and Logistics, LTT Marine, Mr. Guy Agassie; Secretary to Apapa/Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Omoniyi Ajibade; among others.
