ISAN made this decision to strengthen its case in accessing the ship repair fund
The Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said that a technical audit will soon be carried out on all vessels owned by its members in a bid to ensure that the fleet are fully engaged by the industry.
Chairman of ISAN, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, who disclosed this during the associations 2011 Second Quarter General Meeting, said that the decision by ISAN to audit its fleet is to strengthen its case in accessing the ship repair fund.
Jolapamo stated that the nations ship repair industry will benefit greatly from the plan, because, it will help to develop the skills necessary for ship building.
He also disclosed that ISAN will now be involved in ship recycling process in the country, noting that the process of disposing off ships beyond economic repair in the country is not in the best interest of ISAN members.
He said, ISAN will soon be investing in ship recycling facility to facilitate a profitable acquisition of these vessels because prices paid for scrap vessels are below international prices.
The ISAN boss further noted that to ensure profitable ship ownership in the country, the association has set up three strategic group, which, are the Economic and Business Development, Government and Industry Relations and Policy and Technical Development groups.
Jolapamo said that the groups will maximise existing legislation and regulations for ISANs economic interest, develop and manage the associations relationship with government and major stakeholders, with a view to ensuring synergy in all areas of the maritime industry as well as ensuring that Nigerian ship owners are not disadvantaged on account of technical standard both from national and international aspects.
The groups, which will report to the Executive Council of ISAN, according to the ISAN chief, have their objectives to include development of indigenous maritime industry, putting in place a sustainable progress for the employment of ISAN vessel, improvement of industrial confidences and maintaining Nigerias profile as a credible maritime nation.
Source: The Nation