Assessment Brief: Maritime Studies Module – Short Notes on Key Topics in Nautical Science, Maritime Law, and Marine Environment

Module Code: MS402 – Advanced Topics in Maritime Safety, Law, and Environmental Management

Assessment Type: Assessment 2 – Portfolio of Short Notes

Academic Year: 2025/2026

Weighting: 40% of module grade

Word Count: Approximately 200 words per topic (excluding references)

Submission Deadline: Ongoing submission (one topic per week recommended) or full portfolio due by end of semester

This assessment requires students to prepare concise short notes on a selection of provided topics in maritime studies, covering areas such as marine environmental protection, Nigerian maritime law and policy, port operations, seafarers’ training and welfare, and international maritime safety regulations. Students must select at least 10 topics from the list below and produce structured, academic short notes for each. Each note should demonstrate critical understanding, supported by relevant literature and real-world examples where applicable.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Critically evaluate the environmental impacts of maritime activities and mitigation strategies.
• Analyze national and international maritime laws and their implementation in contexts like Nigeria and West Africa.
• Assess operational safety, training standards, and labor conventions in the shipping industry.
• Demonstrate research skills in synthesizing key concepts from scholarly sources.

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Task Instructions

Select and write 200-word short notes on at least 10 of the following topics. Each note must include: an introduction to the topic, key issues/concepts, critical analysis (e.g., challenges in Nigeria/West Africa), and implications for maritime safety/environmental management. Use Harvard referencing with at least 3 sources per note.

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 industry
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

Marking Criteria

• Content accuracy and depth (40%)
• Critical analysis and examples (30%)
• Structure, clarity, and academic writing (20%)
• Referencing and use of sources (10%)

Nigeria cabotage law reforms 2025 and IMO maritime safety standards remain top searches as the shipping industry addresses seafarer training challenges in West Africa. Maritime education Nigeria topics like seafarers retention and port concession Apapa provide essential insights for students pursuing nautical science degrees in 2025.

References (Harvard Format)

• Ndikom, O. (2019) The Kernel Concept of Shipping Operations, Policies and Strategies: The Industry Overview. Lagos: Bunmico Publishers.
• Okeke, V. O. S. and Aniche, E. T. (2021) ‘Evaluation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 in Nigeria’, Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1), pp. 128-152.
• Manuel, M. E. (2017) ‘Maritime risk and organizational learning’, WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 16(2), pp. 203-218. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-017-0123-5 (updated perspectives applied in 2022 reviews).
• Ugwu, U. C. and Ezeani, C. O. (2023) ‘Nigerian Cabotage Act and the Ideals of the African Continental Free Trade Area: An Unwholesome Alliance?’, Journal of African Law, 67(3), pp. 415-436. doi:10.1017/S0021855323000234.
• Sharma, A., Kim, T.-E. and Nazir, S. (2022) ‘Enhancing maritime safety through the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention: a quantitative approach’, WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 21(3), pp. 345-367.