Assessment Brief: DD SS4 O – Short Notes on Selected Topics in Marine Science, Maritime Law, and Nautical Science (2025)

Module/Course Information

Course Code: DD SS4 O
Course Title: Advanced Topics in Marine Science, Maritime Law, and Nautical Science
Level: Diploma/Higher National Diploma (Equivalent to Level 5/6)
Credit Value: 15 credits
Academic Year: 2025
Institution Example: Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron / Nigerian Maritime University / Regional Maritime University Equivalent

Assignment Overview

This is Assessment Task 1 (Individual Short Notes Portfolio). Students are required to prepare concise academic short notes (approximately 200 words each) on a selection of provided topics drawn from marine environmental impacts, Nigerian maritime policy and law, port operations, seafarers’ training and welfare, IMO regulations, tanker safety, offshore operations, and maritime labor standards. The topics reflect real-world challenges in the Nigerian and West African maritime sector.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Critically evaluate environmental and safety impacts in maritime operations
• Analyze the effectiveness of national maritime legislation and international conventions in Nigeria
• Assess training quality, labor conditions, and operational safety for seafarers
• Demonstrate understanding of IMO roles, pollution prevention, and port competitiveness

Required Topics (Select and cover at least 10; full list provided for choice)

1. Impact of ship collision on marine environment
2. Evaluation of cabotage law in Nigeria
3. An Analysis of Safe and Efficient Loading of Solid Bulk Cargo in Nigerian Ports
4. Analyzing the Effectiveness of Seafarers Training in Nigeria
5. Impact of concession on port range competitiveness using Apapa port (Nigeria) as a pilot study
6. The quality of MET of ship officers in Nigeria
7. Marine safety on board vessel
8. The retention of ship officers and its benefits in the maritime
9. The role of the international maritime organisation (IMO) towards maintaining and enhancing maritime safety
10. The safe operation of oil tankers in the maritime industry
11. Analysis of the measures taken for the prevention of oil pollution from ships and oil companies in West Africa
12. The maritime labour convention 2006, and its effect within the shipping industry
13. Health and safety on-board oil tankers
14. The effectiveness of dynamic positioning in offshore operations
15. Combating marine debris pollution, a case study of Nigerian ports
16. Safety and emergency in the maritime industry
17. Improving safety at sea and in ports by developing standards for maritime English

Task Requirements

• Write exactly 200 words (±10%) per topic
• Structure each note with: introduction to the issue, key facts/analysis, Nigerian/West African context where applicable, conclusion/recommendations
• Use formal academic language, cite at least 2 sources per note (Harvard style)
• Submit as a single Word/PDF document with title page, contents, and reference list

Submission Guidelines

Word Count: 2,000–3,500 words total (depending on topics chosen)
Formatting: Arial 12pt, 1.5 spacing, numbered pages
Deadline: Progressive submission encouraged (minimum 1 topic per week) or full portfolio by end of semester
Submission Platform: Turnitin via institution VLE

Assessment Criteria (Marking Rubric)

This 2025 maritime studies short notes assignment on Nigerian cabotage law, seafarers training effectiveness, IMO maritime safety roles, and oil tanker operations is widely searched by students preparing for MAN Oron, NIMASA certifications, or regional maritime diplomas. Similar assessment briefs appear in World Maritime University and Nigerian Maritime University programs focusing on West African port competitiveness and MLC 2006 implementation.

 Peer-Reviewed References

• Onwuegbuchunam, D.E., Aponjolosun, M.O., Oludare, A.A. and Onyekachi, O.C. (2020) ‘Assessment of Cabotage Act implementation and its effect on Nigerian seafarers’, Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 5(1), pp. 124–132. doi: 10.14254/jsdtl.2020.5-1.11.
• Ndikom, O.B., Buhari, S.O. and Esabu, F.I. (2021) ‘Evaluation of the Nigerian Cabotage Act 2003 in the development of maritime human capacity’, Journal of Shipping and Trade, 6(1), Article 12. doi: 10.1186/s41072-021-00089-4.
• Oluwakayode, E., Fabiyi, O. and Ndikom, O. (2022) ‘Maritime Education and Training (MET) in Nigeria: Issues and challenges in the 21st century’, WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 21(3), pp. 345–367. doi: 10.1007/s13437-022-00278-9.
• Chukwu, E.O. and Nwokedi, T.C. (2023) ‘Effectiveness of dynamic positioning systems in Nigerian offshore oil and gas operations’, Marine Policy, 148, Article 105428. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105428.