The committee members of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, also known as Abuja MOU ,made up of 22 Countries in West and Central Africa,from Mauritania to South Africa on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, voted to renew the tenure of Captain Sunday Umoren for another four-year term
This is following his remarkable leadership of the Abuja MOU in the last four years. Captain Umoren’s tenure renewal is one of the major fallout of the recently concluded meeting of Abuja MoU in Conakry, Guinea
Achievements of the Abuja MoU under Captain Sunday Umoren
Captain Sunday M. Umoren has served as Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central Africa since January 2021, succeeding Barr Mfon Usoro.
The Abuja MoU, established in 1999 by 16 West and Central African states, promotes harmonized port state control (PSC) inspections to enhance maritime safety, environmental protection, and compliance with international standards. Under Umoren’s leadership, the organization has expanded its scope, strengthened regional cooperation, and advanced capacity-building initiatives
Expansion of Membership and Regional Coverage
Secured the admission of Mauritania as the 21st member state and achieved expansion of the body to 22 countries, comprising of relevant West and Central Africa coastal countries
This “closes the net” on substandard shipping by ensuring comprehensive regional oversight.
Under Umoren,Abuja MoU has promoted full ratification and domestication of international maritime conventions among members, as emphasized during the 13th PSC Committee meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2023, fostering stronger policy alignment.
Data Sharing and International Partnerships
He signed a landmark data-sharing agreement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in July 2025 during the III 11 session in London, alongside the Tokyo MoU and Indian Ocean MoU. This enhances data harmonization for global PSC collaboration, improving tracking of substandard vessels.
Umoren strengthened ties with organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO), Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), and the American Bureau of Shipping, which have supported training for PSC officers across the region.
Capacity Building and Training Initiatives
Captain Sunday Umoren launched a mentor-mentee framework to develop and sustain PSC expertise, pairing experienced inspectors with novices to ensure consistent implementation and reduce inspection failures like addressing cases where vessels passed regional checks but were detained elsewhere,in places like China
He signed a training MoU with the Regional Maritime University in Ghana in early 2025 to deliver specialized PSC officer programs, aiming to start courses by year-end and curb onboard accidents. He signed similar MoU in September with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Akwa Ibom.
Under Umoren there have been reported “serious inroads” in capacity building over the past year, including training for heads of maritime administrations and adoption of tools like WhatsApp platforms and body cameras for secure inspections. By 2022, significant progress was made in training PSC officers as the “first line of defense” against substandard shipping.
Improved PSC Inspection and Enforcement
He oversaw 3,204 inspections out of 20,499 ship calls in 2024, achieving a 15.6% inspection rate—described as the “bare minimum” but a step toward full compliance.
His actions contributed to regional maritime safety amid high vessel traffic: 52,000 vessels berthed in West African waters in 2021 alone, with ongoing efforts to reduce accidents, environmental hazards, and unlawful practices through standardized inspections.
Advocacy for Broader Maritime Development
He advocated for intra-African maritime infrastructure to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while highlighting the need for ~100 ships to handle projected freight growth from 58 million tons to 131.5 million tons, potentially boosting intra-African trade from 10% to 20%.
Umoren advocates that AfCFTA success also depends on robust shipping and PSC regimes.
He hosted and participated in regional forums, such as the 2023 Abidjan meeting, to promote collaboration among maritime administrations, port authorities, and stakeholders for efficient PSC.
These achievements reflect Umoren’s focus on professionalization, partnerships, and policy advocacy, building on prior administrations while addressing gaps like low inspection rates and training shortages.
The Abuja MoU’s work under his tenure supports safer seas, cleaner environments, and economic competitiveness in West and Central Africa. For the latest updates, refer to official IMO or Abuja MoU channels.
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