The Chief Executive Officer of Natural Eco Capital, Eugene Itua, has called for a stronger integration of sustainability and risk management into Nigeria’s blue economy and maritime logistics activities.
Itua, who was a facilitator at the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) Executive Course, made the call while speaking on sustainability in blue logistics, stressing that maritime transport, port operations, fisheries, supply chains, offshore energy and coastal infrastructure must balance economic efficiency, environmental protection and social equity.
He identified environmental stewardship, economic viability, social inclusion and technological innovation as key dimensions of sustainable blue logistics.
According to him, reducing emissions, waste and marine pollution, while improving resource efficiency, digitalisation and operational efficiency, is critical to the long-term sustainability of the maritime sector.
Itua identified climate, operational, financial, regulatory, geopolitical and social risks as major challenges confronting blue economy logistics. He cited rising sea levels, port flooding, supply chain disruptions, vessel accidents, volatile markets, insurance gaps, regulatory requirements, community displacement and stakeholder conflicts among the risks requiring attention.
He advocated the use of predictive analytics, safety audits, redundancy measures, climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, insurance products, digital tracking and business continuity planning to strengthen the sector’s resilience.
Itua also highlighted sustainable financing instruments, including blue bonds, green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, concessional financing, grants and public-private partnerships, as important sources of funding for sustainable maritime projects.
He introduced the FIPRI framework, which he said was developed to provide a common, evidence-based approach for assessing projects beyond their technical or engineering functions. The framework considers five areas of value: function, impact, prosperity, resilience and equity.
He said projects should not proceed where critical weaknesses exist in any of the pillars, stressing that safety, environmental protection, economic value, resilience and community inclusion must be considered from the beginning of a project rather than after its design has been completed.
Itua further called for greater coordination among government agencies, private-sector operators, communities and other stakeholders, noting that many organisations were already implementing sustainability-related initiatives but often operated without sufficient coordination.
He also advocated the adoption of circular economy principles, explaining that while the linear economy follows a “take, use and dispose” model, the circular economy promotes “take, use and return” through waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
On attracting climate investment, Itua identified regulatory clarity, transparency, digitalisation, ESG certification, effective risk management and inclusive growth as essential conditions.
He said sustainable blue logistics should go beyond the movement of goods to ensuring that every shipment, infrastructure project, expansion and investment decision contributes to environmental protection, resilience, social inclusion and shared prosperity.
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